It's no surprise that Best Buy is encouraging customers to pick up Samsung's 3DTV and Blu-ray player at the same time, but smart buyers should doublecheck to make sure they're actually saving money before they walk out of the store. Next week's advertisement does feature Best Buy's price on the UN55C7000 that's $300 lower than the MSRP, and grabbing the display and player all at once gets a free Starter Pack throw in with two pairs of glasses and the Monsters vs. Aliens flick, but the $3,419 package deal at the lower right and its "$780" savings?. That claimed price throws in a $150 Geek Squad install to set up the TV, connect WiFi and "sync your 3D glasses," while also including the TVs price and $349 estimated Starter Kit value. While there might be some customers who don't know their HDMI from their WEP key who can save that way, we're figuring most Engadget readers can keep a few bucks in their pocket and hook things up themselves, and if you're looking to grab another pair of glasses, it's probably important to save anywhere you can. The real insult here however, can be found to the right, encouraging buyers to pick up The Blind Side right away, instead of waiting to rent from Redbox or Netflix.

Best Buy's 3D bundle pricing isn't as much of a deal as it appears originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic has never needed to wait for a new studio album before putting together another major tour, the latest of which it's dubbed Touch the Future. Trading in the traveling truck exhibition for a more intimate indoor setting, the real production Full HD 3D televisions are available and on display, along with glasses, Blu-ray players plus a few other products for good measure. We took a look as soon as the doors opened in NYC (the display runs through today at the Penn Plaza Pavilion and other locations in Chicago and Los Angeles, check the schedule for 12 more cities on deck) and got an eye full of the same 50-inch plasma 3DTVs on sale at Best Buy stores around the country. One major new look for this demo was an NVIDIA PC running the 3DTV Play solution, as you can see from the pics even New York's finest enjoyed turning a lap or two of Need for Speed: Shift in 3D. The action was smooth and easy compatibility with 3D gaming on the PC should provide plenty of content while we wait for more true 3D games to hit consoles (which should ramp up after the PS3 update this summer) while checking out Blu-ray demos on a 50-inch television proved every bit as engaging this time as it did on the 152-inch CES display.

Continue reading Panasonic Touch the Future Tour lets production Full HD 3DTVs hit the public stage

Panasonic Touch the Future Tour lets production Full HD 3DTVs hit the public stage originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The last we heard of Samsung's BD-C6900 Blu-ray player it was up on Amazon for a pre-order -- and then it was mysteriously gone again. We're not sure whether anyone clicked the button quickly enough to get one of those into their shopping cart and onto their credit card statement back then, but even if you missed out then it is actually shipping now. At least, it is according to Amazon, which lists the thing as "In Stock." The price is still $399.99 and for that you get 1GB of integrated memory, "explosive 3D capabilities," DLNA streaming, and of course that lovely skylight to show off the spinning blur of your latest library addition -- or Netflix rental.

Samsung's 3D BD-C6900 Blu-ray player now shipping, for real originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 07:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As of December, RealD cinemas alone served 100 million moviegoers, and even if the vast majority recycle, that's still a ton (probably several thousand tons, in fact) of plastic 3D glasses. According to a company called Ceroplast, those glasses aren't biodegradable; if so many as 10 million pairs end up in a landfill, it would result in C02 emissions equivalent to burning 50,000 gallons of gasoline. Of course, Ceroplast wouldn't be quoting statistics if it didn't have a greener solution. Under the brand of partner Oculus3D (whose co-founder Lenny Lipton is RealD's former CTO), it's presently making biodegradable polarized shades out of polylactic acid that it intends to deploy -- along with the company's proprietary OculR projectors -- as early as summer of this year. As for which theatres you should expect to see them in, well, we're still in the dark on that one.

Oculus3D vies to be be the greener solution in disposable 3D shades originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 03:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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During CES 2010. RealD managed to slide its 3D glasses in with most of the new televisions coming our way this year, but XpanD is continuing its promise to work with any IR-enabled set from any manufacturer (Samsung has already stated its glasses will only work with its TVs, Panasonic couldn't confirm cross compatibility with other brands when we asked) with the X103 series. XpanD is claiming compatibility with "virtually any monitor capable of displaying 3D content". Even with plans for 12 different colors and sizes for kids or adults it's more likely you'll end up in a caption contest than a look book rocking these, but as long as they get the job done they seem like a natural go to for additional pairs when they launch in June. The main problem? Pricing isn't final but Chief Strategy Officer Ami Dror told PC Mag he expects them to run $125 - $150 -- even if the local cinema uses active shutter technology, that's a lot of 3D flicks before you recoup the cost and makes it nearly out of the question to grab a few spares for friends to watch.

XpanD X103 3D glasses universally compatible with 3DTVs, but not all wallets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While it might have been a pipe dream back in '09, Taiwanese display manufacturer AU Optronics is firmly committed to blasting our eyeballs in 2010, with a monstrous 65-inch HD LCD panel ready for all the 3D and pseudo-3D content (we're looking at you, G-Force) you have on offer. AUO isn't hedging its bets on this one, either; at FPD China 2010, the company announced that they're using a polarized solution with cheap, $2 to 3 glasses to generate the 3D effect. Sure, polarized is the preferred method for most theatres, but it's often more expensive than active shutter tech for an in-home user -- and can come with some serious visual tradeoffs like permanent ghosting or halved vertical resolution. We won't know for sure until we get hands-on, but either way, expect to see AUO's panels in a branded 3D HDTV near you early next year, or just a few months before HDI drops a 103-inch monster of its own.

AUO's 65-inch 3D HDTV panel headed for the conveyer belt in 2H 2010, boasts polarized specs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Mar 2010 05:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Very cagey way to play it Comcast. While DirecTV, ESPN and Discovery were first to say they would have 3DTV broadcasts back at CES, the cable company will actually be the first to deliver it, starting with the Masters Tournament (but why not the 3D broadcast of the Final Four?) April 7-11. That's right, the first "live next-generation 3D broadcast of a major sporting event on TV, the first live simulcast of a next-gen 3D event online, and the industry's first live multi-camera next-gen 3D production" will be on cable (& internet), not satellite or telco. Again, that's right, if you don't have a 3D television set up yet, it will also be streamed at Masters.com (no word whether this is a Comcast only or if it will be open to all) for those with a 3D setup on their PC. We'll temper our expectations until we see what kind of quality is able to squeeze through Comcast's fiber backbone and down our neighborhood coax wires, but this should certainly blow away the anaglyph stuff currently offered on VOD. Of course, the old school HD streams will still be broadcast on ESPN and CBS, but if Tiger really does make his comeback at Augusta this should give us a better view of the course (and any residual damage from that "car accident") than ever before.

[Thanks, Simon]

Comcast will broadcast the Masters Tournament in 3D April 7-11, beat DirecTV to the punch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 20:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3D isn't just for TVs, among 2010's Blu-ray players and receivers the tag of "3D ready" has crept in ahead of the coming storm. So, are you looking for those two characters on the bullet point list of features before you even have a 3D home theater setup (if you plan on ever getting one)? Make a choice, then let us know why in the comments.

View Poll

Poll: Will you still buy home theater equipment that isn't 3D-ready? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In case you hadn't noticed, there was some trouble brewing in the NVIDIA camp. After ages of reigning atop the land of stereoscopic 3D playback on the PC, NVIDIA is finally being confronted with a real, bona fide standard for 3D, with zero GPUs capable of meeting it. The current NVIDIA 3D Vision-compatible cards pump out the necessary pixels over DisplayPort or dual DVI plugs, while the official spec for 3D TVs is an HDMI 1.4 plug that accepts data from both frames at once. We were in doubt there for a moment, but it turns out NVIDIA's cards upgrade to 1.4 just fine, and all 3D Vision customers will be getting this as a free upgrade later this spring. NVIDIA will also be offering this 3DTV Play software in a standalone version for $40 to folks who don't want to bother with NVIDIA's 3D Vision stuff at all (with HDMI 1.4 you can just use the stereoscopic glasses that come with your fancy new 3D TV, no need for NVIDIA's setup). NVIDIA is naturally hitting all the high points of the 1.4 spec, with 1080p24, 720p60 (the official gaming spec), and 720p50. The cards will also support 3D Blu-ray. So, just about time to splurge big on that home theater PC? We don't know... is it just us, or does that guy and his couch look a little lonely?

NVIDIA's 3DTV Play finally solves the HDMI 1.4 gap for 3D Vision originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Both Samsung and Panasonic started selling 3DTVs with great fanfare this week, but only Consumer Reports bought both and started testing them head to head. This is hardly a full review, but initial impressions seem to confirm what we saw at CES which is that Panasonic's 3D has the edge. To be more specific "in the 3D mode, its (Panasonic's 50-inch VT-20 series) lack of crosstalk and great black levels really made three-dimensional images pop." Of course some will always prefer LCD over plasma, but the initial reviews seem to indicate that plasma's great contrast and super fast response time go a long way in delivering a great 3D experience.

First 3D showdown pits Samsung vs Panasonic originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 13 Mar 2010 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading HDI headquarters walkthrough: details galore on the new face of in-home 3D

HDI headquarters walkthrough: details galore on the new face of in-home 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While the rest of us wait to try out the latest 3DTVs that went on sale this week for ourselves, Gary Merson took a trip with his test equipment to Panasonic's NJ headquarters. The good news is that the 2D picture quality was better than last year's model and in fact the black level reading was one-half of the V10's out of the box performance. So as if getting a better HD picture for less money wasn't enough, Gary says the "the 3D image (is) outstanding with considerably more brightness and pop than the motion picture theater 3D movie experience." So yeah it is the best 3D experience you can get anywhere.

First Panasonic 3DTV review in, great blacks and the best 3D anywhere originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chris: "And see, just by turning this knob to the right, we can give Avatar a plot."
Richard Lawler: "If everyone starts wearing these, we're going to need new outfits."
Nilay: "Fascinating. You say this is called a 'lady lump?'"
Joe: "What? Bono beat us to it?"
Joanna: "That Neytiri, she's a handful..."
Paul: "I've gotta feeling that nothing of intellectual importance is happening here."

Continue reading Caption Contest: 3D is a mind blow, everyone can agree on that

Caption Contest: 3D is a mind blow, everyone can agree on that originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Panasonic 3D home entertainment system goes on sale to a country in mourning

Panasonic 3D home entertainment system goes on sale to a country in mourning originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's no bigger sport in March than College Basketball and CBS is once again stepping up its coverage of March Madness by covering the last three games in 3D. With some help from Cinedigm Digital Cineman Corp, 100 movie theaters throughout the nation will present the games in 3D for your viewing pleasure, but If you don't live near a theater -- or just want to find content for your new 3DTV -- you might be in luck as CBS is also reaching out to cable and satellite providers about sharing the love. This is yet another live 3D broadcast to add to the others this year, which will hopefully be just the beginning of live 3D sports for years to come.

CBS Sports to present the Final Four in 100 3D theaters originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's more than just HDTVs on the way from Samsung this year, it's also picked today to reveal the price and ship dates for its Samsung Apps-equipped Blu-ray HTIB systems (HT-C7530W pictured above and all due in March or April) and HDMI 1.4-equipped 3D passthrough compatible receivers. Even though the cool kids are already on to HDMI 1.4a, that should be good enough to pass through 3D video and handle audio all in one cable so if you're planning a whole home theater revamp before Avatar comes home in 3D (whenever that is) you'll probably want to grab one with the feature. Other than the 7.1 channel HW-C770BS for $549 shipping this month, there's also a $499 HW-C900 model with multi-zone and video upscaling features for $499, though when it will arrive is still TBD.

Samsung puts price tags on its next receivers, soundbars and Blu-ray HTIB systems originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Planning on buying one of those fresh Samsung 3D HDTVs and Blu-ray players now that they are available? Well, the good news from Samsung's press conference is that you'll get a free 3D Starter Kit if you decide to fork over the cash for them both. Included are two pairs of active shutter glasses (available separately for $150) and the 3D Blu-ray version of Monsters vs. Aliens, which is exclusive to Samsung for the time being. And speaking of new 3D titles, DreamWorks' own Jeffrey Katzenberg took stage to announce that Shrek will be coming soon. We're not sure how we feel about these super expensive sets, but the hands-on pictures of the kit do seem to make spending plus $2,000 for that new Sammy 3DTV and Blu-ray player a bit more enticing.

Samsung 3D Starter Kit gets 3DTV and Blu-ray buyers started originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kicking off an expected repeat flood of 3DTV info over the next few days (Samsung and Panasonic both have events scheduled over the next couple of days) Sony has revealed pricing and shipping information for its new televisions and related accessories in Japan. The new sets share that sweet/ominous monolithic style of the already available NX800 series (also announced today in Japan, along with fellow 2D-only HX700 LCD and DVR-packing BX30H televisions,) with the edge-lit LED LX900 bringing the entire 3D package. With IR emitter built in and two pairs of RealD active shutter glasses, all you'll need to add is a source to the 60-, 51-, 46- and 40-inch models, ranging in price from ¥580,000 ($6,444) to ¥290,000 ($3,222.) Even if the TDG-BR100 / TDG-BR50 3D glasses (also available as an accessory for ¥12,000 ($133) or so) aren't on your face this WiFi-connected abyss of entertainment will look back into you, using face tracking to detect if someone is sitting too close and warn them to move back, as well as dimming and eventually turning off the screen if you leave the room or simply looked away from the TV for an extended period.

Want to get the full 3D effect with the LED backlit HX900 and edge-lit HX800? Expect to purchase the glasses and TMR-BR100 IR emitter (¥5,000 or $55) separately, or just live a 2D lifestyle and know the 3D is there if you ever want to upgrade. Feel free to wander through Sony Japan's machine-translated website for more specs and prices of these June & July scheduled displays or alternatively, wait a little while, enjoy the trailer embedded after the break, and we should get some find out U.S.-specific details soon that will likely be considerably easier on the wallet.

Continue reading Sony unveils 3DTV release dates and pricing for Japan

Sony unveils 3DTV release dates and pricing for Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've been waiting on Woz's favorite 3D display ever to ship for quite some time, and as of now, no delays have been seen. According to a new interview with HDI CEO Ingemar Jansson, the June ship date for its 103-inch, laser-based monster is still on track, with a $10,000 price tag being placed on it when ordered "in volume." Frankly, there's not much here that we haven't already heard about the new face of 1080p 3D in the home; what is new, however, is the mention that smaller versions could very well be on the horizon. Regardless of whether you're man or woman enough to admit it, a 103-inch set is far too large for the vast majority of homes, so a 46-inch iteration -- which was mentioned specifically in the dialog -- could be a perfect alternative. There was no time table or estimated price given for the smaller version(s), but you can bet we'll be keeping an ear to the ground for more. Oh, and if you don't think an HDTV upstart can give Sony, Sharp and Samsung a run for their money, there's a "Mr. Vizio" in the back room that would like to have a word with you.

HDI CEO admits that smaller laser 3D HDTVs could become a reality, 103-incher coming in June originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Good news for those who found themselves a few yen short after hearing the Japanese prices of Panasonic's first 3D plasma HDTVs -- their American counterparts will be considerably cheaper. Even at a recent line show the company kept the MSRPs close to its chest, but March 10 Best Buy's 24 hour location at Union Square will sell the first full HD 3D home theater system, consisting of the aforementioned VT25, DMP-BDT350 Blu-ray player and active shutter glasses. Japan's Nikkei pegs the bundle price at around $3,000, with 50-inch televisions by themselves arriving for around $2,500. Compare that to the ¥430,000 ($4,813) price in Japan and you've got an idea of the discounting going on so Panasonic can hit its targets of 1 million 3DTVs (worldwide) sold in 2010. Can't get to Manhattan by Wednesday? The Panasonic/Best Buy team up will reportedly place demos at 300 or so stores shortly, rising to 1,000 locations by the end of the year. Unfortunately they won't be able to advertise an Academy Award for Best Picture winner (catch Samsung's ad last night?) in the 3D demo reel, but between Avatar and this week's box office smash, Alice in Wonderland, we're sure there will be at least a few people interested in taking 3D home once it's available.

Panasonic's VT25 3DTVs will be nearly 50% off Japanese prices, launch this week at Best Buy originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The iPad wasn't the only consumer electronics device ad in heavy rotation during the Academy Awards, you could barely get through a commercial break without seeing Samsung's spot for its new 3DTVs. We figure a direct Avatar tie-in (or to any specific movie at all like Monsters vs. Aliens) might have helped awareness more than all the acronyms strung together over a flying manta ray, but this isn't SterlingCooperHD. If you somehow missed the ad (it only played about a dozen times) you can always view it embedded after the break.

Continue reading Samsung debuts 3DTV LED LCD ads during the Oscars

Samsung debuts 3DTV LED LCD ads during the Oscars originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Early on it appeared XpanD owned the active shutter glasses market until Samsung, Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba all announced they'd use RealD's active shutter glasses instead. In fact the only deal XpanD announced during CES was with Vizio who was using the Bluetooth variety with its 3D HDTVs. Although not official, we'd be willing to bet these are the very same glasses that'll be included in the in the "3D upgrade pack" for the Philips HDTVs that are 3D ready. Not sure why some TV manufactures choose one brand over another, but as soon as these make it into reviewer's hands we'll find out.

XpanD to supply Philips with 3D active shutter glasses originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 22:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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That the HDMI 1.4 spec would need some tweaking to ease compatibility between old upgraded set top boxes delivering 3DTV, Blu-ray 3D, receivers and displays was already established and today the full information has been released to all HDMI Adopters. Firmly implemented are the mandatory formats devices will need to interpret with displays required to support all mandatory formats, repeaters able to pass through all of them, and sources must support at least one. That certainly doesn't stop older HDMI 1.3 labeled equipment from delivering a Full HD 3D experience, as long as they're able to upgrade to compatible signaling.

As HDGuru explains, the main potential hangup is in the audio receiver, as older ones without 3D passthrough capability may not be able to interpret 3D signals, and can't be upgraded to interpret it requiring a workaround like Panasonic's upcoming dual HDMI packing Blu-ray player. Whether it's "frame packing" (sequential) in 1080p/24Hz for movies or 720p/60Hz for games, and either side-by-side horizontal at 1080i/60Hz or top-bottom compressed 720p/60Hz and 1080p/24Hz for TV the new updates to the spec just ensure everyone is speaking the same language going forward. We haven't heard of any looming compatibility issues for 3DTV devices but until it gets in someone's home and the cables are plugged in we're sure some will still have doubts.

HDMI 1.4a spec released in full, lays down mandatory 3D format support details originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not all the preparation for ESPN's 3D network is going on at the Innovation Lab, VP of Communications Mike Soltys recently spoke with Sports Media Watch during ESPN the Weekend at Disney and mentioned other tests under way to make sure things get off on the right foot. A recent Globetrotters game in Orlando that aired on ESPN2 served as a test bed for 3D, with production done out of the same truck as the regular broadcast and 3D cameras mounted along with their standard broadcast counterparts. NBA games will be among the "minimum" 85 3D events ESPN airs on the network over the first year and we're pretty sure they were more interested in finding out how to best capture Dwight Howard than Flight Time Lang. As we learned from Sky's recent demo, camera angle is a major part of the 3D soccer experience and to get that right there's a soccer field next to the aforementioned Innovation Lab to work out those details before this summer's World Cup debut. Check the full interview for a few more details plus notes on whether it plans on reacquiring rights to air NHL games and other major and minor recent controversies -- we'll stick to the 3D.

ESPN used Globetrotters broadcast to test 3D basketball production originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You know who else is firmly situated on the 3D bandwagon? Acer. This fine morning the outfit has busted out two new beamers, both of which are eager and willing to be paired with NVIDIA's 3D Vision setup for viewing in the third dimension. Outside of that, neither one is particularly awe-inspiring, but if you've got a 3D Blu-ray player on the brain, you might need one of these to fully complete the nerded-out basement experiment. Up first is the H5360, offering a native 1,280 x 720 resolution, a 3,200:1 contrast ratio, 2,500 ANSI lumens and an HDMI socket. The lower-end X1261 gets a lowly XGA resolution, a similar amount of brightness and a component video port. Check 'em real, real soon for $699 and $579 in order of mention, and hop on past the break for the rest of the details.

Continue reading Acer's H5360 and X1261 projectors take it to the third dimension

Acer's H5360 and X1261 projectors take it to the third dimension originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's not like your two ears really need 7.1 channels of audio, but what your home theater does need is simplicity and an eagerness to support the third dimension. In truth, we can only safely say that those beliefs are shared by Pioneer, who has today introduced a new pair of 5.1 AV receivers that offer Bluetooth streaming, HDMI 1.4 and an unmistakable "3D ready" label. There's also the obligatory Works with iPhone certification on the VSX-820-K, which enables it to transfer iPod navigation control and on-screen graphics from the remote back to the Apple device. Outside of that, most everything else is identical between the two, as they each offer five channels of 110 watts, at least 3 HDMI sockets and rather reasonable price tags. Speaking of, you'll be asked to pay $229 for the 520 and $299 for the 820 when they splash down later this month.

Pioneer brings Bluetooth streaming, 3D-readiness to VSX-520-K and VSX-820-K receivers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony's latest Blu-ray players have been shipping online for a while but now they've invaded retail, spotted by our friends at FormatWarCentral on the shelf at a local Best Buy. A quick check on the website shows the BDP-S470 and BDP-S570 available at most, if not all, area stores so they shouldn't be hard to find. We know they're ready to give a Full HD 3D experience, and have speed to burn, but a few readers have already complained that the DLNA access mentioned in the specs isn't available yet, pending a future firmware update. If you just can't wait to get 3D ready (or just get a PlayStation 3) then this would be your chance.

Sony's 3D-ready Blu-ray players released into the retail wilderness originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 23:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Firsthand impressions outside the CES crucible are flowing in following the worldwide launch of Samsung's new LCD 3DTVs. UK publications have gotten up close with production versions of the new HDTVs, TechRadar observed the Monsters vs. Aliens Blu-ray disc packed in with the new displays over there plus the 2D-to-3D conversion feature, reporting the latter worked better on sports footage of ice skaters but caused "disconcerting" effect on news broadcasts. A video preview from Which? (embedded after the break) gives a good look at the new remote and managed to clear up one of the early worries about new display by confirming the 3D effect continued to work even from a wide viewing angle. For those who have already pressed the buy button, taking advantage of that effect will of course require 3D glasses. While Samsung's already promised multiple models a lone battery powered pair for adults has appeared for preorder on Vanns for $150, which despite the relatively reasonable cost of the displays could make group viewings very expensive for the early adopter. While that may not be out of the price range for some, we'll keep an eye out for pricing info from the competition -- and looking for cheaper 3rd party alternatives. Check out their impressions and decide for yourself how much a 3D World Cup experience is worth.

[Thanks, Dave]

Continue reading Samsung's new 3DTVs get an early eyes-on, through $150 shutter glasses

Samsung's new 3DTVs get an early eyes-on, through $150 shutter glasses originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How long has it been since you thought about the impending launch of ESPN 3D? Days, hours, seconds? It's certainly on someone's mind, as the network has announced its Innovation Lab at the ESPN World Wide of Sports Complex in Orlando to do 3D production testing year round in preparation for its World Cup, NBA, NCAA and X Games coverage planned over the next year. The Innovation Lab has previously brought to life the Ball Track and Snap Zoom features used in Home Run Derby and Monday Night Football broadcasts, we'll see if all that testing pays off once the new channel launches this summer.

ESPN opens 3D Development Center originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Philips ain't much for introducing new gear here on US soil, but for those fortunate enough to buy their milk with Euros, the company has a cornucopiaof new kit to tempt you with. It seems as if the company chose to skip right over CES and do its own thing here in late February, with the "2010 Consumer Lifestyle" event bringing to us a refreshed lineup of LED-backlit Ambilight HDTVs (7000, 8000 and 9000 series), a new Immersive Sound home theater system (with tri-speaker satellites) and the aluminum-tinged Soundbar HTS9140. We're also told that the new line of 8000 and 9000 LED 1080p TVs are 3D capable, with a "3D upgrade pack" to be made available separately and include two Active3D glasses and a wireless transmitter. In related news, that now-forgotten Cinema 21:9 set -- which was supposed to ship many moon ago -- now has a "summer 2010" estimated arrival date on it, though we certainly aren't holding our breath just yet. Hit the source link for all the other goods, but don't expect to find much in the way of pricing and availability.

Philips intros new Ambilight HDTVs, speakers and other AV wares originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hope you're ready to see the make believe world in a new dimension 'cause Samsung's first 3D set is now shipping Stateside. Amazon shows a pair of 55-inch UN55C7000 TVs with 3D 240Hz motion technology in stock with a $3,299.99 price tag and free delivery. Yeah, that's a day earlier than expected but we doubt anyone's complaining. Remember, you'll still have to drop another $150 or so on the shutter glasses if you ever plan to flip the switch from 2D to 3D mode; something you might want to do when actual 3D content starts to arrive.

Samsung's first 3D TV now available in the US, all 55-inches of it originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last we'd heard, some of Sony's retail locations had 3D capable displays in to show off, but no software to run on them. Today the company has announced all 42 Sony Style stores are equipped with LX900, HX900 and HX800 series BRAVIA LCDs ready to show 3DTV to the world. If the new technology has any chance of success in the home, eyes-on demos will be key since it's not a difference easily explained without experience, something its competitor Panasonic is also familiar with, judging by its plans for a nationwide tour and VP Bob Perry's statement that "if a retailer cannot properly display it we will not allow them to sell it." We got our eyes on plenty of 3D during CES, but for most of you a trip to the store will be necessary to check out the latest and (hopefully) greatest, let us know in the comments if it impressed.

Sony Style stores proclaimed 3D ready, are you? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When Avatar will make its Blu-ray 3D debut is still officially up in the air, but thanks to Samsung's European line show, TechRadar says we can expect Monsters vs. Aliens in March (at least in the U.K.) It will initially be available only to purchasers of new Samsung 3D HDTVs (called the U7000, U8000 or U9000 series of LCDs and PDP7000 plasmas over there) or Blu-ray players, an interesting choice that has us wondering when wider 3D releases will hit, or if we'll need to wait for the summer's PS3 firmware update before that happens. Still, that wasn't all Samsung had to say, also mentioning plans to add movie rentals from LoveFilm and access to BBC's iPlayer to its Apps service for U.K. buyers in April.


[Thanks, @JoeCise]

Sasmung's U.K. show reveals Monsters vs. Aliens 3D Blu-ray due in March plus LoveFilm, iPlayer TV apps originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you had any doubt that Sony was getting all hot and bothered by the prospects of 3D everything in the very near future, a recent interview with Digital Photography Review should settle that. Masashi Imamura, President of Personal Imaging and Sound at Sony, said that the company is focused on tackling the third dimension on every front, and while we already know it is meeting the needs of Hollywood, with cameras like the HFC Comfort-3D and the HDC-F950, now comes the focus on Joe Consumer, specifically referencing Fuji's Real 3D W1. Of course, we're also expecting something a little higher end from the company, with earlier talk of 3D Alphas, but first-things first, and while Mr. Imamura didn't see fit to tell us when to expect a consumer-friendly 3D shooter, we can't imagine it'll be long now.

Sony confirms plans for consumer-friendly 3D cameras originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fox has been slow to show its hand concerning the Avatar home video release schedule, but that didn't stop director James Cameron from spilling assorted dates and SKUs in a Wall Street Journal interview. He's pegged a standard DVD & Blu-ray release for April 22, with a special edition DVD and Blu-ray 3D version arriving in November. Considering how much electronics companies have invested in bringing 3D to market this year and specifically Panasonic's push to make Avatar a box office smash the timing seems right on target. Whether you love the Na'Vi just a little or far, far too much, budgeting for a 3D related Black Friday upgrade to go along with blue body paint for Halloween is seeming like a more sensible option every day.

James Cameron sees Avatar on Blu-ray 3D in November, HDTV manufacturers mark their calendars originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 21:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony intros 3D-capable STR-DN1010 A/V receiver originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More than a few commenters were confused to see Sony's first 3D Blu-ray players sporting HDMI 1.3 outputs when they were announced recently. Rumors circled that we would see some sort of lower res, even "3D-Lite," experience (similar to the quality of DirecTV's side by side compression) as a result of a lack of bandwidth in the connector. We went straight to the source to find out what buyers can expect from the BDP-S470, BDP-S570 and other hardware when they receive those MVC encoded discs later this year. Luckily, Sony's Greg belloni has responded and informed us that will definitely not be the case:

"The 3D-ready models mentioned in the release will be fully capable of 3D playback of Full HD 1080p for each eye. The players and theater systems support the HDMI 1.4 spec for 3D playback, but may not support all of the qualifications of spec (which is why we haven't labeled it specifically 1.4 at this time)."

We're not sure if that's enough to make the buying decision on your next player easier (the BD-C6900 does have that ever enticing window) but we have yet to hear from any manufacturer that when it comes to 3D, buyers will be limited to lower resolution playback because of player bandwidth issues. Our only quibble is why DivX playback is limited to the Canadian editions of these players (check the manual after the break,) but if there are any remaining questions, let us know and we'll get them answered.

Continue reading Sony's Blu-ray players do 3D in 1080p even with HDMI 1.3

Sony's Blu-ray players do 3D in 1080p even with HDMI 1.3 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Panasonic goes 3D crazy with AG-3DA1 camcorder and AG-HMX100 video mixer

Panasonic goes 3D crazy with AG-3DA1 camcorder and AG-HMX100 video mixer originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Feel like making your own 3D movie? That 3D camcorder and the bucket of blue paint alone won't be enough -- consider Panasonic's new BT-3DL2550 3D production monitor. This 1920 x 1200 IPS display relies on an Xpol filter for the 3D magic through passive polarizing glasses (like the ones in the 3D cinemas; two pairs included), and sports two HD-SDI ports plus a DVI-D socket -- both are for jacking your beastly video processing rigs, while the former also take direct feed from professional HD cameras. Little else is known about this professional Panny screen, but given the jaw-dropping $9,900 price we'd expect a pretty impressive stat sheet when it comes out in September.

Continue reading Panasonic launches BT-3DL2550 25.5-inch 3D IPS monitor, breaks your piggy bank

Panasonic launches BT-3DL2550 25.5-inch 3D IPS monitor, breaks your piggy bank originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Feb 2010 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Get your active shutter glasses ready: your PS3 is going to go 3D this Summer. In conjunction with the release of its 3D BRAVIA LCD sets, Sony is planning to release updates to turn the PS3 both into a stereoscopic 3D gaming platform, in addition to a 3D Blu-ray compatible movie player. Sure, we knew Sony was planning to give us 3D sometime this year, but now that we've got a summer time frame we can plan our wardrobe decisions according -- jean cut-offs, here we come!

PS3 getting 3D firmware update this Summer originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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And the flood gates are now officially open. Just hours after Panasonic introduced its newest 3D Blu-ray recorders and players, along comes Sony to brag about its first 3D-ready standalone deck. The BDP-S470, which is slated to ship later this month for $200, arrives with the ability to handle BD, DVD, CD and even SACD, with a 3D Blu-ray upgrade (via firmware update) planned for this summer. You'll also find BD-Live support, BRAVIA Internet Video, a USB socket for playing back media stored elsewhere, 1080p DVD upscaling and TrueHD / DTS-HD Master Audio decoding. If you were planning to snag a BDP-S570 BD player or one of the BDV-E770W / BDV-E570 Blu-ray Disc home theater systems, you'll be elated to know that those systems will also get a gratis 3D update in just a few months, with exact pricing and release details tucked down there in the source. Time to pick up a pair of 3D Gunnar Optiks, don'tcha think?

Sony's $200 BDP-S470 is company's first 3D-ready Blu-ray player originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 09:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic announces new 3D Blu-ray recorders, players originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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3D's happening whether you like it or not -- but the good news is that there won't be any format war to go with the adoption of the new tech. At least that's the sense we've been getting, as most manufacturers are adopting active shutter glasses, delivery will happen on cable, satellite, and Blu-ray, and now the HDMI Licensing group has opened up the 3D portion of the HDMI 1.4 spec so non-licensees can make their gear compatible. There'll be some changes coming down the pike in HDMI 1.4a, but that's also due for public release, so really we'll all be one big dorky family in 3D glasses when this is all over.

HDMI 1.4's 3D spec publicly released originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Everyone in the home entertainment industry is talking 3D, and because most of the details remain unknown, we are left speculating more than not. One of the questions is if 3D will be like HD in the way that we'll demand all programming be in 3D and this is one we're just not sure about. We're not the only ones either as Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts is wondering the same thing. In a Q&A session at the a Congressional Internet Caucus event last Wednesday he said "The question is, are you going to want to sit there and wear glasses four hours a day to watch TV. I don't think so." And we couldn't agree more, in fact we believe 3D will be used more like surround sound -- sure some use it all the time, but most just turn it on for big events or movies. We'll all have to wait and see how this turns out, but we just can't imagine a day when all TV is viewed in 3D, at least as long as glasses are required.

Comcast CEO not sure 24x7 3D is in our future originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Singaporean outfit Sunny Ocean Studios is pledging to put all of the autostereoscopic 3D we've seen so far to shame with a new 27-inch display offering 64 viewing angles it will show at CeBIT. A serious upgrade from the 8 or 9 viewing angle lenticular displays we saw at CES this year, the company claims it's ready to refit regular displays for 3D and also assist in 2D-to-3D image conversion. We've got all of the usual questions lined up like how will this affect resolution, what's necessary to render the necessary 64 different frames for each viewing angle and of course, how much does it cost, but founder Armin Grasnick says his company can handle screens of up to 100-inches quickly and inexpensively, likely by not wasting precious R&D funds on website design. The current state of 3D is glasses all the way, but we could get a peek at the next step March 2 in Germany.

No-glasses 3D display with 64 viewing angles to debut at CeBIT originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While U.S. audiences suffered through yet another anaglyph 3D broadcast as the Grammys presented Earth Song in traditional red/blue format courtesy of Target-distributed glasses, Sky kicked off its first true 3DTV broadcast across the pond during a Man. U/Arsenal match. Distributed to a few select pubs ahead of a wide rollout due in April, patrons slipped on passive 3D glasses and caught the entire match live from Emirates stadium. Luckily this experiment went over far better than the Dallas Cowboys disaster, though several criticized the need to remain more directly in front of the monitor to see the action and that the effect was less pronounced on long shots. However the new tech excelled the most during close ups and slow motion, as Pocket-Lint quoted viewer Kate Cobley "It's brilliant, the corner and back of the goal views are just amazing. It makes the game so much better. If it's in 3D then I would definitely be more likely to come to the pub to watch sport." We figure the real test will come during the World Cup this summer, if ESPN's 3DTV broadcast can get U.S. audiences tuning into the beautiful game, then 3D may actually live up to all the CES hype, until then check the read and more coverage links for a few more impressions, or the video embedded after the break.

Continue reading Inaugural Sky 3DTV soccer broadcast received warmly, hooligans opt for Michael Jackson & the Grammys instead

Inaugural Sky 3DTV soccer broadcast received warmly, hooligans opt for Michael Jackson & the Grammys instead originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ahead of the 3D curve as usual, Panasonic is first yet again with its Blu-ray 3D Advanced Authoring Center. A perfect fit with its upcoming product lineup and focus on 3D, the setup promises to deliver movies on discs as soon as this spring. VP Jeannine Patton claims it "leads the industry" in MPEG-4 MVC technology, which it should, since Panasonic was instrumental in creating the 3D Blu-ray specification. We'll wait until a few discs have actually been pressed and reach stores before we decide how good a job it can do of bringing the 3D movie experience home.

Panasonic opens first Blu-ray 3D authoring facility originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It feels like we just left our shutter glasses behind at CES, but already a few of Samsung's new 2010 Blu-ray players (all featuring Internet@TV and Samsung Apps features) have popped up for preorders on Amazon, including the 3D playing BD-C6900. The company just announced 240HZ 3D LCDs have begun mass production and isn't waiting for the competition before diving in, issuing the first price we've seen for one of the new plays at a penny shy of $400. Moving down the line the super slim and woodgrain textured, but 2D only, BD-C7500 is also $399.99, while the speedy BD-C6500 and its promised 15 second bootup time is set for $299. The entry level and eco-focused BD-C5500 is still unpriced but instead of asking whether you can afford the price of a 3D Blu-ray player, ask yourself if you can afford not to own a Blu-ray player with a hole in the top. The answer should be obvious.

Samsung's 3D Blu-ray player available for preorder on Amazon: $399 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jan 2010 15:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another day, another broadcaster launching 3D. This time it's Japan's Sky Perfect JSAT, which plans to flip the switch ahead of World Cup 3D action in June. Of course this isn't the first 3D broadcasts for the country, but it's similar to rollouts planned by DirecTV here and Sky in the UK, using side by side format, h.264 compressed video to send the new broadcasts over existing boxes. Currently broadcasting 58 HD channels and still looking to add more, it plans to kick off with two or three programs, mostly sports and live events.

Sky Perfect launching 3D over satellite in Japan this summer originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You know it's coming: the inevitable slew of boutique 3D television channels that will serve nothing but gratuitous content the same way all those HD-specific stations and their nature programs did a few years ago. Comcast wants to be at the forefront of the 3D exploitation capitalization to come, and while its current offerings are modest (a 3D version of The Final Destination, a Jonas Brothers concert, and other stuff your step-brother Billy might like) and only offered in anaglyph format (red/blue glasses), the good news is it isn't charging any extra for the content -- yet. Comcast isn't saying exactly what's coming next, but specialized channels should be cropping up before the summer is through, and you can be sure they'll be grouped into a premium "3D Tier" for the ultimate in billing surcharges.

Comcast positioning itself to be King of 3D programming originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rugby fans in the UK who're looking forward to the 6 Nations match against Wales in a few weeks have a new way to enjoy the action -- we have no clue what we just said there. For those who can't make it to the actual event, they can instead hit up 40 Odeon and Cineworld cinemas across the UK and watch it with other fans in 3D for about $20. If you want to get a taste of 3D sports and live nearby, this is a great way, but even if you couldn't care less about 3D, we have to say that watching sports in a theater is the next best thing from being there.

3D Rugby coming to UK theaters in February originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you can't get enough information about 3D then you're going to love this special edition of the Engadget HD Podcast. We give Bob Wilson, the VP of Network video solutions group at Motorola a call. He tells us all about what Motorola is doing to help cable companies get ready for 3D programming. Among other things, we discuss why side by side will be the initial transmission technique of choice, but that eventually full 1080p 3D should be a reality via cable. We ask him about a few other related topics like why more cable companies haven't started using H.264 and how long he thinks all of this will take to make it into our homes.

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Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler
Guest: Bob Wilson, VP Networked video solutions group at Motorola

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Engadget HD Podcast 175: Interview about the future of 3D cable TV - 01.22.2010 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Physical media and cable bills not your thing, but you're still thinking you might want to see what all the 3D fuss is about? Good news because Next3D plans to deliver 1080P 3D via the internet directly to PC, game consoles and other set-top boxes in the first quarter of this year. Sports, documentaries and movies are all a part of the plan, but apparently Next3D has its own transmission technology. We'll be interested to learn if it more like MVC that Blu-ray is using, or frame-compatible techniques like cable and satellite will bring to market first; but ultimately the proof is how it looks, which of course we have to wait to see for ourselves.

Next3D to deliver 3D via the internet originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.

Without a doubt, 3D was the keystone feature touted by every major TV and Blu-ray player manufacturer at CES 2010. But the 3D technology we'll see this year asks more of consumers than previous reinventions. As with HD, they will need new TVs, new video sources, and optimized content like Avatar to make the experience worthwhile.

But consumers will also likely need glasses -- and not particularly fashionable glasses -- to experience the 3D effect. It's a lot to ask customers, given just-completed 10-year transition to digital and high-definition television. Compare that to the roughly 30-year gap that separated the mainstream arrival of color and the first HDTV in the U.S.

It also remains to be seen how strong of a marketing push major electronics companies will put behind 3D. The shift to HD was aided by a government mandate that coincided with the shift from over-the-air analog broadcasts to digital broadcasts. And before there was much HD content on television, consumers embraced the dramatic form-factor shift from CRT to flat-panel televisions -- HD often just came along for the ride.

Continue reading Switched On: The two sides of 3DTV

Switched On: The two sides of 3DTV originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not sure why we've been putting this off, but we'll just come right out and say it: there's no doubt that this was the year for 3D at CES. We walked the show floor for countless hours and can tell you that just about everyone was showing something related to 3D at their booths. Most of these demos required a bit of a wait to experience them (thanks, hype), and everywhere you went people were talking about 3D. Granted, not all of that talk was positive, but it was talk nonetheless. Whether or not the technology will be seen in history as a success in the market place is obviously still up in the air, and much like a finely crafted episode of Lost, 3D at CES this year was littered with more questions than answers.

Continue reading 3D stole the show at CES 2010

3D stole the show at CES 2010 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oh now we just can't believe this one, do you mean to tell us that Mark Cuban had the insight to create HDNet, but didn't bother to trademark 3DNet? Apparently, because Broadcasting & Cable is reporting that on January 5th Discovery Communications trademarked the name 3DNet. As we already let you know, next year Discovery will launch a 24x7 3D network with a mixture of non-fiction, sports, films and content from the libraries of its partners, Sony and IMAX. We can't wait to hear what our old friend Mark has to say about this one, but maybe as much as he loved HD, he doesn't really get 3D yet -- yeah, we doubt it.

Discovery searches for name for 3D channel, 3DNet is on the list originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The cable industry's research and development arm has proudly announced that 3D testing is on. This will allow TV manufactures and cable companies to begin having their equipment tested for 3D interoperability. Along the way CableLabs has also confirmed that many of the existing set-top boxes will work with "frame-compatible" 3D formats -- like side by side. This is exactly what DirecTV announced it would use and is the very same standards that HDMI added to the spec. Basically it allows providers to dedicate the same amount of bandwidth to 3D as it was to 2D. Of course this means that the resolution is cut in half (horizontally in the case of side by side) but we're told that sharpness isn't as perceivable in 3D as it is in 2D and after seeing the DirecTV 3D demo at CES, we believe it. Unlike the adoption of HD, it doesn't look like the cable industry is going to let the satellite companies run away with the new technology unchallenged again.

CableLabs starts testing 3D, determines existing set-tops are compatible originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All this 3D is cool and all but it can be difficult to understand all the new formats and as much as people want it, there's no new format war here. In fact the differences in the 3D technologies are more like the differences between 720p and 1080i or LCDs and plasmas. We talked a lot about the differences between circular polarized and active shutter glass systems in our 3D is coming home feature (these two are like LCD vs plasma) but we didn't talk about the ways to store and transmit 3D (kinda of like 720p vs 1080i). There are more than two ways, but since sequential is what the Blu-ray spec and active shutter TVs use, and side by side is what DirecTV announced, we're going to focus on them. Now just like 720p vs 1080i, a signal can be transmitted in either format but still displayed differently on the HDTV. And also like a 1080p HDTV can really only display 1080p images (everything else is converted) a sequential 3DTV can only display sequential 3D, this of couse means the TV converts it. In the case of Blu-ray, the video is sent out of the player at 1080p 24 frames per second, per eye; or 48 frames per second. This signal goes to the TV but the glasses are what ensures each eye sees the correct image -- pretty simple right. But for side by side systems like DirecTV is using, a single 1080p frame that holds both the right and left eye's images is sent at 24 frames per second. The TV receives this signal, splits it into two frames, displays them sequentially and then stretches 'em out. Obviously this isn't as good as Blu-ray, but it uses way less bandwidth and makes it so DirecTV can just release a firmware update instead of replacing all the set-top boxes. It is expected that cable companies will use the same technique -- the reason exceptions were added to the HDMI spec -- but even ESPN said it wasn't exactly sure what format it would use.

HD 101: The difference between sequential and side by side 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not sure how we missed this one in all the excitement at CES -- well, yeah we can -- but right up there with Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs and Disney's A Christmas Carol, Dreamworks will offer Monsters vs. Aliens as its first 3D Blu-ray title (fuzzy picture of the back and full pr after the break). Now we said it before and we'll say it again, you're not going to sell 3D to the masses with animated features, but we have to wonder why Fox and Panasonic have yet to announce Avatar in 3D. Cameron came out and told MTV that the first Blu-ray release wouldn't be 3D, but we don't understand why. If you are releasing a new format like 3D wouldn't you want the hottest titles available as soon as possible? Of course we could be worrying for nothing and could learn that Fox is just waiting for the right moment to announce a 3D version of Avatar, but what about the rest of the studios? Then again, HD DVD and Blu-ray did launch with only a few titles and none were exactly recent blockbusters.

Continue reading Monsters vs. Aliens to be among the first 3D Blu-ray titles

Monsters vs. Aliens to be among the first 3D Blu-ray titles originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Add one more piece of tech to your glasses vs. glassless 3D display battlemap, as TCL was showing off this autostereoscopic display in an odd reflective frame at its CES booth. Around the corner from a conventional RealD shutter glasses setup, it whipped through several animated 3D renderings similar to those from Alioscopy and Magnetic3D. The frame made it hard to tell but it seemed to have a little less pop than the competition, with slightly better clarity. All the glassless displays we saw this year used similar lenticular lens technology applied to 1080p HDTV screens to achieve their affect, with mostly similar results, with so many players, there should be plenty of billboards and in-store opportunities for you to get a look yourself soon enough.

TCL completes the no-glasses 3D trifecta at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Taking 3D pictures with Fujifilm's 3D point and shoot is pretty easy -- even if ultimately unsatisfying -- but if you need a place to display them, LG has that covered. Tucked away in its booth was a demo of "the world's first 3D camera compatible HDTV" dutifully taking SD-card stored snaps and putting them on the big screen. Not an entirely complex process, but we figure if a better reviewed 3D camera makes it to market, you might appreciate picking up the right HDTV for the job.

LG's 55-inch 3DTV is 3D (photo) ready too originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You know how you shoot 3D? You strap two standard camcorders together, film, and then utilize one of Intel's newest chip to merge the two into something with depth. Alternatively, you can plunk down $21,000 for a pre-order on Panasonic's newfangled 3D camcorder, which was just introduced (officially, that is) at CES this week. Our home slices over at Switched were able to get a plain, mundane 2D camera on this piece at the company's booth, and while it doesn't exactly look as useful as a fully loaded Ford Focus, we hear it's great for making Avatar fanboy clips. Hit the source link and give the video a look, won't you?

Panasonic's $21,000 3D camcorder gets the hands-on treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Since we can't drool over sets without release dates forever, our attention at VIZIO's CES event turned to flat-panels we actually expect to hit shelves in 2010. Still, we couldn't have expected a sneak peek of the company's planned iPhone remote control app (video after the break,) and the shock of seeing a 22-inch VIA & WiFi packing 22-inch LCD nearly overshadowed the massive 72-inch 3D set picture above. Also represented were a new soundbar surround package with HDMI 1.4 / Audio Return Channel due in May, a video-prioritizing wireless router and powerline networking setups, and of just to round things out, some iPod dock / touchscreen clock radios.

Continue reading VIZIO's new LCDs (& upcoming iPhone remote app) eyes-on

VIZIO's new LCDs (& upcoming iPhone remote app) eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While 3D is all the rage at CES this year, we learned today from the BDA that one of the biggest sources of 3D content isn't what it could be. The first thing that could, should, be better is the limited support for frame rates. Movies have been recorded at 24 frames per second for longer than our parents have been alive, and for about the same amount of time we've had to endure frame rate interpolation to make movies play back on our 30Hz TVs -- you know, like 3:2 pull-down. That changed recently with 120hz LCDs and 72Hz plasmas because those numbers share a common denominator with 24 (so the same frame is just shown three or four times). Well so much for that because the frame rates of the new 3D displays don't share a common denominator any more (either 30 or 60 hz per eye). But honestly the worst part is that the new 3D cameras can capture 3D at higher frame rates. Now even if new movies were recorded at a higher frame rate, the new 3D Blu-ray spec doesn't support it. The other issue we take with the new spec is that contrary to early reports, it is possible to create a 3D Blu-ray Disc that won't play on 2D only players. Not as big of a deal, but still sad is that even if the creator goes through the trouble to encode the movie in both formats, depending on the 3D player, you may have no choice but to watch it in 3D -- say if you lost your glasses or whatever. Now don't get us wrong we're pretty excited about the new 3D technology, but the way we see it is that anything worth doing, is worth doing right the first time.

Blu-ray's 3D spec isn't what it could be originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While some would ask "why put a transparent panel and lamp in your Blu-ray player to show the disk spinning," Samsung asks why not. Check out a few slick press pics and shots at Samsung's CES booth of the 3D BD-C6900 player busily playing a The Incredibles demo reel and ponder what this means for the theory of Schrodinger's Disc.

Samsung BD-C6900 Blu-ray player eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yes you read that right, the studio with the most new 3D movies around isn't going to release its first title until the fourth quarter of 2010. We've seen some cool 3D demos in past few days but lets face it, the technology is worthless without content. Now you might think that Disney would help launch 3D with a big hit like Toy Story 3, but you'd be wrong. No instead it'll all get kicked off with Disney's A Christmas Carol -- no we're not feeling it either. Disney is the third studio to announce 3D content that'll be released this year, and although none of them are up our alley, we're sure someone is excited to see them.

Continue reading Disney's first 3D Blu-ray release to hit in the fourth quarter

Disney's first 3D Blu-ray release to hit in the fourth quarter originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hey! Don't run away just because this here display has 3D in its name -- it's optional don't you know. Sony is showing off its 24.5-inch OLED television here at CES, and we have to admit to being blown away once more by the sheer vibrancy and clarity of the output. The jump from the 15-inch panels that are still very sparsely available in retail channels is most welcome. We can totally envision spending our happily ever after with one of these screens serving all of our visual needs, 3D or otherwise. Sony's reps couldn't tell us when these will make it to market, but the pics below should whet appetites appropriately.

Sony OLED 3D TV eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In what is sure to be just the beginning of announcements from studios getting behind 3D Blu-ray, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced that when Sony Bravia 3D HDTVs and Blu-ray Players hit the street this Summer that at least one movie from said studio will be available in the new format. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs is the first 3D title on the list, but details and other titles are promised this Spring.

Sony Pictures has 3D Blu-ray titles in store for 2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic annonced that it has developed the world's largest 152-inch 4K x 2K (4,096 x 2,160 pixels) definition Full HD 3D plasma display. The display features a new plasma display panel (PDP) Panasonic developed with its new quadruple luminous efficiency technology.

According to Panasonic, self-illuminating plasma panels offer "excellent" response to moving images with full motion picture resolution, making them suitable for rapid 3D image display.

Panasonic invited us to a sneak peak of 3D at its booth tonight and representatives from DirecTV were there showing off its new 1080p 3D HD demo feed. The quality was pretty good and quite enjoyable. There were no noticeable compression artifacts in the demo loop which included soccer, College Football, Avatar, Toy Story 3, and a few documentaries with awesome architecture and breathtaking views of mountains and ocean wildlife. We also had the chance to speak with the DirecTV technical staff which told us that the 1080p24 3D signal doesn't take any more bandwidth than 2D content at the same resolution and frame rate. We were told the demo was indeed real and that we were actually watching the signal you'll be able to watch in June -- after your existing set-top gets a simple firmware update and assuming you have a 3D HDTV, that is. We have to say this is something we're looking forward to and with every demo we become more convinced that 3D is actually going to take off.

Eyes-on with DirecTV 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG isn't the only one with more new LCD HDTVs then you can shake a stick at, in fact Sony just announced 38 new models of its own. The most interesting is the LX900 line (pictured above) which is due this Summer -- still waiting on a price -- available in sizes ranging from 40-inches to 60-inches and will of course do Full 1080p 3D with help from RealD's active shutter glasses. But even if you aren't into 3D, we're sure you'll appreciate the new local dimming and built in WiFi so that you can stream all kinds of content via internet services or your home's DLNA network. Like the LX900, the HX900 does 3D, but the the active shutter glasses and 3D transmitter are sold separately. If you are interested in the rest of the lineup then don't hesitate to click through and read the entire press release.

Continue reading New Sony Bravia 3D HDTVs coming this Summer with WiFi and local dimming

New Sony Bravia 3D HDTVs coming this Summer with WiFi and local dimming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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And you thought that just because you are the home theater in a box type that you wouldn't get to enjoy 3D -- Sony announced a trio of Blu-ray home theater systems that feature wireless speakers and the same internet streaming features BRAVIA Internet Video, DNLA and the iPhone app remote that the stand-alone Blu-ray from Sony do. And the top of the line BDV-HZ970W (pictured above) also supports 3D Blu-ray Discs. The other two new systems, the BDV-E770W and BDV-E570, have most of the same features, but both lack 3D and the BDV-E570 doesn't do DLNA. Check out the full release after the break if you are still left asking for more.

Continue reading Sony has some new Blu-ray home theater systems and yes, one does 3D

Sony has some new Blu-ray home theater systems and yes, one does 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buried in Panasonic's flood of CES 2010 announcements is the official confirmation that DirecTV will be first in the U.S. to offer 3D TV. The three dedicated channels (PPV, DirecTV On Demand and a free 3D sample demo) offered at launch will be "presented by Panasonic" for the first year they're on-air and available to all DirecTV HD customers via a software upgrade. Additional content partners include AEG/AEG Digital Media, CBS, Fox Sports/FSN, Golden Boy Promotions, HDNet, MTV, NBC Universal and Turner Broadcasting System -- are we the only ones hoping the Mayweather/Pacquiao bout gets pushed back and broadcast in 3D?

DirecTV 3D broadcasts officially announced, coming in June originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 19:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Had enough of the CES barrage? Nah. Panasonic just cut loose a few new releases of its own, with the highlight of the bunch being the planet's first integrated Full HD 3D camcorder. Dubbed a "professional" device, the camcorder won't be available to order until April, and it's expected to make the filming of 3D content easier due to having the camcorder itself, the lenses, camera head and a twin memory card recorder smashed together in a single body. Users will also find stereoscopic adjustment controls on the twin-lens, solid state-based system, and we're told that it'll automatically recalibrate itself sans the need for any external equipment. 'Course, the $21,000 MSRP is apt to turn away most everyone not being financed by a movie house, but hey, at least we're fairly certain it'll be reduced to a few bills by 2012. In related news, Panny is also partnering with DirecTV to launch a trio of dedicated 3D channels starting in June, and the two are already in talked with AEG, CBS, Fox Sports, HDNet, MTV, NBC Universal and TBS to develop additional 3D programming that'll debut between 2010 to 2011.

Oh, and you'll obviously need a new setup to view said content, and that's where Panny comes in (again). The outfit unleashed a new range of 3D-capable (thanks, RealD!) Viera plasma HDTVs and Blu-ray 3D players, and all it takes to enjoy mind-melting 3D content in the comfort of your abode is "a stylish and lightweight pair of active-shutter glasses." Oh, joy. The complete line will be fleshed out later this Spring, with screen sizes ranging from 50- to 65-inches. In one of the most brilliant moves of the show, Panny's also including just a single set of 3D glasses with its multi-thousand dollar televisions, which is sure to leave a bitter taste in the mouth of Sir Buyer who has to plop down an extra hundie or two to get specs for the whole family. At any rate, the DMP-BDT350 Blu-ray player will handle 1080p content in both the second and third dimension. The last bit is new partnerships with Netflix, Skype, Twitter and Pandora (among other outlets), all of which are being added to the Viera Cast library that's accessible on select Blu-ray players and HDTVs. Catch the full rundown after the break... if you dare.

Continue reading Panasonic blows it out with 3D Blu-ray deck, HDTVs, channels and $21k camcorder

Panasonic blows it out with 3D Blu-ray deck, HDTVs, channels and $21k camcorder originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung has unveiled its latest family of Blu-ray players for 2010 topped by the BD-C6900 (above), compatible with both the 3D Blu-ray standard and the company's existing 3D displays. If your guests aren't thrilled by Full HD 3D and funky glasses they can always peek through the transparent cover and watch the disc spin. Also coming this year are the BD-C6500 with a promised 15-second boot time and disc load time, a new slim blu-ray champ with the BD-C7500 (after the break) and the low end BD-C5500. No word on prices or dates, but we're sure these should be appearing on shelves around the time the weather warms up.

Continue reading Samsung's 2010 Blu-ray players bring 3D, transparency & thinness

Samsung's 2010 Blu-ray players bring 3D, transparency & thinness originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toshiba's going all-in on the Blu-ray front here at CES and launching three new connected Blu-ray players: the BDX2500, the BDX2700 and the 3D-ready BDX3000. All three models do online streaming through a new partnership with CinemaNow; the $199 BDX2500 has a USB port for a wireless dongle, while the $249 BDX2700 and as-yet-unpriced BDX3000 have built-in WiFi. Expect the 2D models in the spring, and the three-dee unit in Q3. Full PR after the break.

(That's a pic of the current BDX2000, by the way -- we'll update with a new pic if the new ones look different.)

Continue reading Toshiba BDX3000 Blu-ray player does 3D, BDX2700 and BDX2500 do... other stuff

Toshiba BDX3000 Blu-ray player does 3D, BDX2700 and BDX2500 do... other stuff originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The show floor finally opened up here in Vegas today, and just as we knew they would, the product announcements are flowing hot and heavy. LG's one of today's biggest players, unleashing a whole bevy of new kit that truly spans the gamut of consumer electronic sectors. Kicking things off is the CF3D, which is hailed as the planet's first Full HD, 3D single lens type projector. As for specs, you'll get 3D auto picture calibration, a twin engine, two HDMI 1.3 sockets, 300 ANSI lumens and a single USB input, while the XGA HX300G won't do much of anyone outside of traveling salespeople much good. Moving on, there's a little confirmation of the Skype news that we caught wind of yesterday; sure enough, a range of LG's NetCast-enabled HDTVs will ship with Skype capabilities, though it sounds as if you'll need to budget for a standalone camera. LG's also making official that Mobile DTV-supporting DVD player that we first spotted at the tail end of last year, which will be in stores later this year for around $249. There's plenty more to share on these -- as well as a good bit surrounding a legion of new monitors -- so hop on past the break if you just can't get enough.

Continue reading LG reveals Full HD 3D projector, Skype-enabled HDTVs and more at CES

LG reveals Full HD 3D projector, Skype-enabled HDTVs and more at CES originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yes, this press release is pretty crazy, the sheer number of LCD HDTVs is impressive enough, but the various models offer just about anything you could want. The top of the line LE9500 Series (pictured above) is LG's first LED 3D HDTV offering, but is also ultra slim with a 8.5mm bezel, has optional wireless HDMI set-back box, Local Dimming, 480Hz, THX Certification, NetCast (VUDU, Netflix, DLNA and just about every other streaming service including Skype). In fact the only bad aspect of the LE9500 is that it is only available in 47 or 55-inch variety. The lineups goes down from there and there's something for everyone and you'll just have to click on the press release to see all 39 options. One thing you won't find in the release is the price or availability, which seems to be the trend this year at CES.

Continue reading LG presents 39 new LCD HDTVs, most with NetCast, some with 3D

LG presents 39 new LCD HDTVs, most with NetCast, some with 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Discovery Communications, Sony and IMAX announced a joint venture to be established to develop the first 24/7 dedicated 3D television network in the U.S.

Discovery, Sony, through its U.S. affiliate, Sony Corporation of America, and IMAX each will be equal partners in the joint venture. According to the companies, it will be launched in the U.S., with a goal of “driving consumer adoption of 3D televisions and giving the network long-term leadership in the 3D home marketplace.” In the future, the companies also will explore international distribution opportunities in selected markets.

As frustrated as many haters are at the flood of 3D displays announced in the run up to CES, imagine how Mitsubishi must feel since it's been shipping compatible projection TVs for quite some time. The price of being ahead of the curve? Plugging upcoming 3D Blu-ray discs into your 82-inch projection display will require the new 3DC-1000 3D adapter to switch those right/left images to the checkerboard format Mitsubishi uses. Despite reversed polarized lenses in the demo RealD shutter glasses, flipping them upside down for a quick impression revealed 3D with as much smoothness and pop as we've experienced from competing technologies -- when flashing bulbs and jostling crowds weren't throwing off the IR synchronization. With the "easy and affordable" (but no specific price given) adapter due in the spring it should be just in time for that Avatar 3D viewing party, or maybe a bit of footy if that's more your style.

Mitsubishi's projection HDTVs get an adapter to deal with Blu-ray 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 23:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading VIZIO's 2010 XVT LCDs go up to 72-inches with 3D, LED, WiFi & WirelessHD

VIZIO's 2010 XVT LCDs go up to 72-inches with 3D, LED, WiFi & WirelessHD originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need any more proof this is the year of 3D? USA Today is reporting ESPN 3D will start broadcasting this summer with a World Cup soccer match, with additional content coming from the Summer X Games (we won't have to wait for the flick to hit theaters this time) NBA games, and college basketball & football. DirecTV still hasn't confirmed its rumored plans for 3D, but CableLabs CEO Paul Liao is quoted calling the level of engagement 3D sports presents viewers as "unprecedented." More details on exactly how 3D in the home will happen are sure to come throughout the week, we've already been blown away by 3D sports, it looks like everyone else will have their chance in just a few months.

ESPN 3D launches in June with World Cup soccer -- our football to follow later originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 01:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Consolidation of the boxes littered around our TVs is one trend we're happy to see, and for its part, Sherwood is getting onboard with network connectivity. Following the lead of the company's R-904 NetBoxx, the RD-7505 also got a dose of Verismo's VuNow tech for accessing content from DLNA, Hulu, YouTube, CinemaNow and internet radio. The RD-7505 also gets a trio of HDMI 1.4 inputs in addition to its seven channels of 110-Watt amplification; but you'll have to wait until summer to grab one for $500. Next up from Sherwood is the iNet-2.0 tabletop which pairs up its 8-inch display with an alarm clock, internet audio playback and an iPod dock; all of which just might make it a digital photo frame (yeah, it does that too) we'd consider putting in the house. Full details in the PR after the break.

Continue reading Sherwood's RD-7505 receiver and iNet-2.0 tabletop pull entertainment from the cloud

Sherwood's RD-7505 receiver and iNet-2.0 tabletop pull entertainment from the cloud originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A part of 3D's assault on the home theater this year is a battle over which glasses technology each manufacturer will choose, and after locking up Sony RealD has announced its tech is coming alongside new displays from JVC and Samsung. While JVC's 3D LCDs will use circular polarized passive glasses (like the ones you've probably worn at the movies) Samsung is promising to work on both active shutter LCD and passive eyewear models -- no word yet on any Gucci tie-ins, but it's still early.

Samsung, JVC pick RealD tech for their new 3D LCD televisions originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Jan 2010 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The most wonderful week of the year for gadget lovers is upon us so we decided what better way to tame our anticipation then to dream a little and discuss our expectations for CES 2010. While some are obvious like 3D and mobile DTV, others like TiVo, MoCA and bigger, cheaper HDTVs aren't as certain. And of course nothing is as much fun as making fun of our dashed dreams by talking up vapor ware of year's past. So if you can't wait to hear what's new in 2010, tune in and be sure to let us know what we missed.

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[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:02:13 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 168
00:12:07 - Lots and lots of 3D TVs and Blu-ray Player, heck 3D everything
00:15:48 - Mobile DTV
00:20:25 - tru2way set-back boxes
00:23:15 - New stuff from TiVo
00:28:20 - RuVu alliance Demo and maybe even real product announcements/new members
00:31:35 - Lots of MoCA devices
00:35:30 - WHS Veil with more MC integration
00:41:36 - Maybe a new extender platform
00:44:21 - Maybe a new biggest TV ever
00:46:15 - More consumer priced 65+ direct view HDTVs
00:50:00 - Panasonic Kuro?
00:51:52 - OLED HDTVs over 20-inches
00:53:36 - Ultra-widescreen HDTVs
00:54:57 - 2009 Vapor ware watch list
00:55:20 - Toshiba extender
00:55:48 - Dish VIP 912 & Sling TV
00:56:53 - DirecTV TiVo
00:58:30 - XstreamHD
01:02:11 - tru2way HDTVs
01:03:02 - Ceton PC CableCARD tuner

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Engadget HD Podcast 169 - CES 2010 expectations originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 03 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Finding itself with a wealth of a additional bandwidth thanks to a new satellite going up today, DirecTV may have already decided its first big addition will be 3D. Citing the always popular unnamed sources, HD Guru says we should prepare for a CES announcement that the bird will be up and running by March beaming down a collection of movies, sports and TV shows in 3D HD, requiring only a firmware upgrade on existing set-top boxes to tune into the new stations. UK satellite provider Sky has already tipped its hand about 2010 3D plans, with a newly freshened HDMI spec expected to ease things along and nearly every manufacturer either already producing compatible displays or planning to announce them in less than a week there's very little doubt remaining about whether broadcast 3D is coming home this year, only how and when.

DirecTV 3D broadcasts coming in early 2010? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The drumbeat for HD 3D continues to pick up the pace, and with broadcasters around the globe pushing forward 2010 plans to bring 3D home HDMI has updated the course of its latest 1.4 spec to ensure compatibility between displays and boxes. Quite simply, existing cable and satellite hardware isn't going to be held to the same requirements as Blu-ray and videogame equipment rocking the 3D sticker and expecting compatibility with displays on the way, since they won't be passing the same high quality, high bandwidth dual-stream 1080p images anyway. Additionally, some broadcasters are pushing for HDMI to officially support "Top/Bottom" 3D transmissions they plan to use, which sacrifice resolution while saving bandwidth by shoving left/right images into a single frame. While that should add an entirely new angle to the line counting and claims of "HDLite" (get ready for 3DLite) all viewers can do is wait to hear when or if their hardware will get a software upgrade to 3D (like the one we expect will allow the PS3 to play 3D Blu-ray discs) in the months and years to come, once there's a standard everyone can adhere to of course.

HDMI 1.4 spec getting freshened up in preparation for broadcast 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you love 3D then you're going to love this episode and if not, you might just want to skip to the 37 minute mark and skip all the parts where we go crazy talking about Avatar, (spoiler warning) the Blu-ray 3D spec and 3D at home in general. After all the 3D buz is done, we move on to the FiOS Super Headend tour as well why the DirecTV TiVo might not be that great and finally the new Fancast Xfinity TV and a little spat between TWC and Fox.

Get the podcast
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3).
[RSS - AAC] Enhanced feed, subscribe to this with iTunes.
[RSS - MP3] Add the Engadget HD Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[Zune]Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace
[MP3] Download the show (MP3).

Hosts: Ben Drawbaugh, Richard Lawler

Producer: Trent Wolbe

Program
00:45 - Comments from Engadget HD Podcast 167
04:30 - So are you headed to the theater to see Avatar?
20:30 - Blu-ray 3D specifications finalized, your PS3 is ready
26:58 - 3D capable Blu-ray players coming as soon as Q2 2010?
30:17 - Sony teams up with RealD for 3D, headaches in the home
34:40 - Ask Engadget HD: Does Dolby, RealD or someone else offer the best 3D movie theater experience?
37:17 - An inside look at a Verizon FiOS Super Headend and Video Hub
44:41 - New DirecTV TiVo HD due in the Spring of 2010
46:44 - Comcast On Demand Online renamed Fancast Xfinity TV, now streaming nationwide
53:38 - Time Warner, Fox trade shots on who to blame when you can't see the bowl games

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Filed under: Podcasts

Engadget HD Podcast 168 - 12.22.2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've joked that in the next year some will say we might as well change the name of the site to Engadget 3D, and that's because we've seen the technology and loved the experience. Apparently we're not alone as a recent survey by Quixel Research showed that 78 percent had experienced 3D and 68 percent would recommend it to friends -- we assume the rest are basing this on their Dallas Stadium 3D experience. Almost half of the respondents said they'd like to receive 3D content via cable or satellite and about a third said they'd actually be willing to switch providers to get it. Now we've seen the BCS National Championship Game and Avatar in a 3D theater and while both were enjoyable, we think 3D sports is the bigger motivator to upgrade our HDTV.

Survey says consumers want 3D at home originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It should come as absolutely no surprise that big time HD lovers like us prefer to enjoy our movies in the comfort of our own home theater, but even we get out to the movies on occasion and of course it would take a movie just like Avatar to get us off the couch. Part of the reason is because we've bought into the latest 3D technology hook line and sinker, and really want to see if it holds up during a 3 hour epic. And since we figured this is just the type of thing we love to get some social confirmation on. We want to know: are we the only ones planning on throwing down $10 to see Avatar in 3D this weekend?

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So are you headed to the theater to see Avatar? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you haven't experienced RealD 3D yet and you are reading this site, then you might want to check your geek card. We say that because it wasn't until we watched the National Championship game with a set of RealD's 3D glasses in a theater that we finally got this whole 3D thing, and now RealD is proud to let us know that over 100 Million movie goers have experienced it. The biggest hurdle modern 3D technology has to overcome though is the fact that it is using the same name as the crapy cereal box technology of Super Bowl commercials. We can tell you what 100 Million others already know, this isn't the same thing. So right after you post the first comment about how you won't wear any stupid glasses, search out the nearest theater showing AVATAR in 3D at a RealD theater this weekend, and after watching it, tell us this technology isn't going anywhere.

Continue reading Over 100 Million movie goers experience RealD 3D

Over 100 Million movie goers experience RealD 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In case you hadn't heard, there's a pretty high profile 3D movie coming to theatres near you this weekend, and assuming one actually has multiple multiplexes to choose from, who has the best technology? RealD and Dolby have been fighting it out to ramp up 3D theater installs over the last couple of years with other competitors also mixed in, but our friend Kevin wants to know if there is a noticeable difference from location to location:

A question I have every time a new 3D movie comes out: We have two theaters here that offer 3D movies. One lists them as "Digital 3D"; the other as "RealD 3D". What are the technical differences, and do they end up producing noticeably different final results? Or am I getting the same experience at both theaters? Thanks for your help!

We know a few of you must have grabbed a pair of glasses and checked out flicks form the Toy Story series to Coraline and My Bloody Valentine, do you have preference on on where to go to see 3D?

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

Ask Engadget HD: Does Dolby, RealD or someone else offer the best 3D movie theater experience? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Broadcom today announced that it is the first silicon provider to ship a true single die Blu-ray Disc chip.

According to the company, the BCM7630 offers an “unprecedented level of integration” combining optical front-end and back-end video decoding and display technologies in a single die solution.

In addition it supports internet streaming applications including Netflix 2.0, Pandora Internet Radio, BD-Live, Vudu, CinemaNow movie services and others.

LG announced a partnership with Korea Digital Satellite Broadcasting – SkyLife, one of the biggest 3D content providers.

The company says the partnership will focus on developing technology that helps produce 3D images that don’t cause eye strain or dizziness - an issue that has plagued previous technologies.

SkyLife aims to be the top digital satellite 3D broadcaster in Korea. The company plans to invest USD 25 million in creating 3D content in collaboration with LG.

Well, this sure marks a change of tone for LG. After taking the cautious approach and throwing out a single 3D TV model in 2009, the Korean manufacturer is now boldly predicting sales of 400,000 3D units in 2010 and 3.4 million in 2011. To make it all happen, the company has announced it will introduce a "wide range" of 3D TV sets measuring between 42 and 72 inches diagonally, with flagship models among them. Furthermore, LG's new partnership with SkyLife will see both companies investing in 3D content creation, as the digital satellite broadcaster will be pitching in $25 million. Naturally, this Korean push is merely a prelude to a planned assault on American and European markets next year, which LG expects will jump all over 3D given its internal survey data indicating 58 percent of people want an extra dimension to their viewing experience. What we're most excited about, though, is the "ultra-slim" bezel you see in the picture -- it is no accident or mere prototype, and its minimization is part of LG's effort to maximize immersion. We like it, 3D or not.

LG expects to sell 3.8 million 3D LCDs by 2011, partners with Korean broadcaster SkyLife originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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You know 3D has a long way to go when even Jerry Jones can't manage to sell it for longer than seven minutes: the vaunted real-time 3D scoreboard display experiment at last night's Cowboys game was turned off to loud cheers after just six minutes and fifty seconds of being active. The problem, as usual, was glasses: most of the 80,000 people in attendance didn't bother to put on the headgear required to see the 3D effect, and instead saw a blurry anaglyph image -- which they then booed. What's more, some who wore the glasses complained that the 3D effect caused nausea, although probably not as badly as the Cowboys' 17-20 loss to the Chargers. HDlogix actually has the tech to do glasses-free 3D, but it simply doesn't work when scaled up for the world's largest HD monitor -- a problem they'll have plenty of time to solve when the Cowboys fail to make the playoffs with another couple December losses.

Continue reading Cowboys Stadium 3D scoreboard experiment doesn't go so well, turned off in less than seven minutes

Cowboys Stadium 3D scoreboard experiment doesn't go so well, turned off in less than seven minutes originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thought Mitsubishi's LaserVue set was pricey? Hah. HDI, the California startup with dreams of producing a 100-inch 3D HDTV that's driven by lasers, has just released the first hint of a price range, and as predicted, it ain't cheap. The set -- which has already been deemed a favorite by The Woz -- has reportedly had its first batch manufactured over in China, and we're told that a smattering of 'em should be available by May. If all goes well, the HDTV should be in full-scale production mode by Christmas of next year, and we've learned that the whole thing will measure around 10-inches thick. Amazingly, it'll also go relatively easy on the power meter, but the $10,000 to $15,000 price estimate is bound to shock some. Of course, Panasonic's own 103-inch 3D HDTV is currently pegged at around $75,000, so when you think of it from that perspective, HDI's offering is a bona fide bargain. And totally worth liquidating your future kid's college fund for.

HDI's 100-inch, laser-driven 3D HDTV gets $10k to $15k price tag originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Cowboys might not be doing so well on the field these days, but that's not stopping Jerry Jones from constructing a gadget lover's nirvana for them to call home. The world record-holding Mitsubishi displays at the center of Cowboys Stadium will this weekend be treated to the first public demo of a new real time 3D conversion technology from HDlogix. Touted as a glasses-free autostereoscopic method, it will be demonstrated before Sunday's game against the Chargers, and used during the game on highlights and live video to give the good people of Dallas an extra dimension to their already supersized visual experience. The list of promises from HDlogix is mighty impressive, including the ability to convert to and from all the 3D standards floating around at the moment (more on that in the source PDF below), but we advise waiting until Sunday when said good people can judge for themselves. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Cowboys Stadium first to demo real time conversion of 2D HDTV video into 3D

Cowboys Stadium first to demo real time conversion of 2D HDTV video into 3D originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMD and CyberLink, which recently integrated SENSIO 3D technology into its PowerDVD player, are already touting a 2010 CES demo promising to show off their implementation of "the forthcoming Blu-ray stereoscopic 3D standard." While the world continues to wait for an announcement on what the 3D Blu-ray standard will actually entail (backwards compatible 2D combo discs, and Full HD stereoscopic technology are definitely on the list) AMD is ready to leverage its position as a contributing member of the Blu-ray Disc Association and make sure that when discs hit the market -- likely around the time Avatar is released at home -- it has compatible software and hardware available. We've prepped and ready for the glasses-required trials that promise to be featured at many booths during next months Las Vegas experience, so a note to potential exhibitors: sports and videogames are the best bet for an impressive 3D showing, bring Space Harrier 3D for extra bonus points.

AMD readying a demo of the Blu-ray 3D standard, might not wait for it to exist first originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 04:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG announced the world’s first commercial launch of 3D LCD panel boasting full HD resolution.

The new product is a 23-inch 3D monitor LCD panel for use with shutter glasses that delivers full HD resolution. LG syas it offers picture quality that is almost twice as crisp as HD 3D displays currently available in the market.

Sky has kept pushing the 3D broadcasts to the home envelope and one of the benefits of its extensive testing programs should be 3D soccer broadcasts coming home around the middle of next year. The best news of all is instead of the anaglyph technology seen so far, this should be compatible with the 3D HDTVs on the way from Sony, Panasonic and others capable of delivering high quality imagery to viewers polarized glasses. Just like earlier tests this can all come home through standard boxes and satellite dishes, the only question is whether subscribers will be in a hurry to purchase the necessary display hardware --pending price announcements, we still think sports action is the best bet for 3D to gain a foothold at home.

[Thanks, pankomputerek]

Sky planning 3D soccer broadcasts for 2010 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Probably hoping to avoid our prediction of possibly getting old over time, Comcast is introducing a new wrinkle for the 2009 Holiday spectacular on its $22 million 2,000 sq ft high-definition video wall -- 3D. It's the first time this has played on the wall, with a 19 minute video (embedded after the break) complete with scenes of rural PA and downtown Philadelphia. Stop by the Comcast Center between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. to grab some complementary 3D specs and check it out.

Continue reading Comcast Center HD Video Wall gets a dose of 3D for the holidays

Comcast Center HD Video Wall gets a dose of 3D for the holidays originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With LG predicting a 3D television market in excess of 30 million units by 2012 and Samsung busily promoting its related world's firsts, you'd better believe that these powerful South Korean "chaebols" have their government's full support when it comes to delivering 3D content. Just today the Korea Communications Commission (KCC) announced its drive to start beaming 3D broadcasts in Full HD quality sometime in 2010 -- licensing begins in January with first broadcasts expected mid-year. Unlike those 3D satellite broadcasts tested in Japan and the UK, Korea will deliver its 3D content through its terrestrial networks. Of course, Korea's pay-TV providers want in on the action too, with CJ HelloVision set to offer 3D content through its video-on-demand offerings in the next "week or two." CJ HelloVision will initially target about 300 households with plans to extend the service to 1,000 homes by 2012. Viewers will need yet another set-top box to view 3D content likely limited to "cartoons" at first. Pricing has not been set and it's entirely possible that 3D VoD titles will be free at first in order to build momentum and to ensure viewer lock-in of the all important child demographic.

Korean 3D television broadcasts in Full HD just weeks away originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The promotional hype train for Avatar is just getting started, one of the more recent stops was on 60 Minutes for an interview with director James Cameron. Of course one of the segments focused on was the film's potential to push 3D at home and in theaters, with Cameron dropping this interesting line on all the glasses-haters (video embedded after the break) "my goal has been, over the last few years to get people from a point of say "Do I have to wear the glasses?" to a point of saying "Do I get to wear the glasses?" because the glasses must then become associated the sense of a heightened experience, of a journey." Our trip took a turn towards believing in 3D after checking out the BCS National Championship game last year, we'll have to wait for the launch December 18 to see if this very Pocahontas / Dances with Wolves style sci fi tale is a similar turning point for others.

Continue reading James Cameron thinks he can get viewers asking to wear 3D glasses

James Cameron thinks he can get viewers asking to wear 3D glasses originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NVIDIA, along with the PC manufacturers, notebook panel manufacturers, and content developers, announced the expansion of the NVIDIA 3D Vision ecosystem to include HD notebook platforms that integrate advanced 120Hz 3D Vision-capable displays directly into the chassis for on-the-go 3D.

The first notebook utilizing NVIDIA 3D Vision is the G51J 3D, introduced last week by ASUS.

Look, we get the whole drive behind this 3D thing. For some, there's no better way to experience sports, films, or console game play and consumer electronics companies are desperate for a source of new revenue. But creating a 280-inch 3D LED display meant for public areas doesn't make a lot of sense long-term unless we're expected to carry those swank, polarized glasses everywhere we go. Nevertheless, Sony was demonstrating the 6.4 x 3.4-meter behemoth at the International Broadcast Equipment Exhibition 2009 in Japan. The panel combines 70 LED displays into a single monstrosity of overlapping images. If nothing else this "3D LED Wall" demonstrates Sony's rabid commitment to 3D for 2010 and an ominous future for our friends working in Times Square. See it in action after the break if you care.

Continue reading Sony 280-inch 3D LED display headed to Mr. Lee's Greater Hong Kong

Sony 280-inch 3D LED display headed to Mr. Lee's Greater Hong Kong originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A response to cable sellers marking hardware v1.4 compliant before a test was even available or just another way for Monster Cable to ratchet up prices, we're not sure, but HDMI Licensing, LLC has reworked the packaging requirements for all new cables and products. Cable packaging must lose version numbers starting today, while HDMI-equipped components can only use version numbers in conjunction with listing specific features supported, and lose version numbers entirely starting January 1, 2012. The picture above features logos you'll find on certified hardware going forward, while we can appreciate being tied to supported features and not just version numbers that may or may not fully apply (*cough cough* remember the "HDMI 1.3" PS3Fat?) there's no way things get any less confusing when hooking up the new 4K or 3D capable HDTVs.

HDMI logos updated: version numbers out, supported features in originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: New content

Sony and Panasonic are both hellbent on convincing us their forthcoming super-duper 3D television sets are the future, but before we all start selling off the children and re-mortgaging our homes, how about a little taster of what it might be like? Channel 4, the British answer to a question nobody ever asked, is about to offer up a selection of 3D programming this month, which it dubs as a return to "good old fashioned fun." The menu includes a documentary about the Queen's coronation (in other words, ancient history), a magic show, and even a couple of goodies like Flesh for Frankenstein and Friday the 13th, Part III. If we find can remember to get down to the local Sainsbury's and grab ourselves a free pair of those rad-looking three-dee glasses, you might even be treated to our eyes-on impressions. Watch this three-dimensional space!

[Thanks, Mitch T]

UK Channel 4 set to throw some 3D programming our way originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony and Panasonic are both hellbent on convincing us their forthcoming super-duper 3D television sets are the future, but before we all start selling off the children and re-mortgaging our homes, how about a little taster of what it might be like? Channel 4, the British answer to a question nobody ever asked, is about to offer up a selection of 3D programming this month, which it dubs as a return to "good old fashioned fun." The menu includes a documentary about the Queen's coronation (in other words, ancient history), a magic show, and even a couple of goodies like Flesh for Frankenstein and Friday the 13th, Part III. If we find can remember to get down to the local Sainsbury's and grab ourselves a free pair of those rad-looking three-dee glasses, you might even be treated to our eyes-on impressions. Watch this three-dimensional space!

[Thanks, Mitch T]

Filed under: New content

UK Channel 4 set to throw some 3D programming our way originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc

Getting out well in front of the 3D standardization trend appears to be working out for the 3D@Home Consortium and its assorted backers --including Samsung, disney, Philips and others -- as it has just submitted to the CEA a list of the various products and technologies involved in 3D. Between active shutter and passive glasses solutions we have long lost track of who is doing exactly what in the 3D space, but it appears this group has stayed on top of it, developing a database of the different glasses technologies and working with the CEA to help create a standard that it hopes will resolve any possible compatibility issues before they become a problem. We just want to know which sticker or logo we should be checking for on the side of the box that indicates our future purchases won't be incompatible or obsolete before their time, is that really so hard?

CEA checking out 3D@Home Consortium's requirements for interfaces, glasses technology originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HDI announced it has entered into a manufacturing agreement to mass produce 100-inch Laser-Driven 2D/3D Switchable Dynamic Video Projection Televisions.

HDI's 2D/3D switchable system delivers 2D image with a 50% greater resolution than today's digital cinemas, and derives its “greater-than-high” definition stereoscopic 1920 x 1080p "3D" image quality from two RGB laser-illuminated Liquid Crystal on Silcon (LCOS) micro display imagers.

Filed under: Industry

Our friend Mari at the official Motorola Blog just got back from checking out the 3D demo at Cable-Tec and was able to dig up a few extra details in addition to sharing her impressions. Overall she said the circular polarized and active shutter demos both "looked good" but each was driven by a different set-top-box so it was hard to do a fair a to b comparison. This also makes us continue to wonder how compatible these two 3D display technologies are -- we suspect they are compatible and that this was just to prove that both IPTV and QAM worked as a delivery methods. The most interesting tidbit is the fact that thanks to new Multiview Video Encoding techniques, the 3D stream only requres about 30 percent more throughtput then the same image in 2D. This isn't as much as Panasonic is claiming the new 3D Blu-ray spec will require, which is estimated at 50 precent. One other thing we're left wondering is what the frame rate of the demo was, but earlier this week CableLabs did confirmed that the demo is 1080p and that the SCTE has already added 1080p at 60 fps to its encoding standards. We assume the frame rate had to be at least 30 fps per eye though, because otherwise the flicker would probably be noticably annoying.

Details of 3D cable demo at Cable-Tec emerge originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry

Football and Basketball aren't the only sports to benefit from a 3D presentation and we're sure our friends to the south were excited to see their favorite in 3D. Televisa -- the largest media company in the Spanish speaking world -- presented the America versus Guadalajara soccer match this past Sunday in 3D to theaters in Guadalajara and Monterrey. Said broadcaster also plans to give the same treatment to the Primera División Apertura tournament finals as well -- whatever that is but it sounds impressive. We have had the pleasure of experiencing our favorite sport in a 3D theater and have to say it was very enjoyable, so if you have the opportunity don't pass on it.

Televisa broadcasted the first soccer match in 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Sony

With some help from Sony, Hollywood Theaters is upgrading to 4K digital cinema, some of which that will do 3D. The project kicks off over the next few months when 13 locations will get the upgrade that consists of 167 screens all of which will all be going digital. On top of that, 53 of those screens will also support 3D movies thanks to RealD and circular polarized glasses. Of course we won't be happy until every theater in the US is digital and 3D, but this is a decent step in the right direction.

Hollywood Theaters upgrading 53 screens to Sony 4k RealD 3D capable projectors originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Cable, Fiber

At this point we know what you are thinking and we can say that you are wrong, we aren't about to rename the site to Engadget 3D -- not yet at least -- but we are getting excited about 3D and there isn't much more exciting then the idea of broadcast 3D. We say that because although we love movies, we're not crazy about 3D movies, but we are very very crazy about 3D sports which obviously requires broadcast 3D. So while we have a long way to go until we can enjoy our favorite sport at home in 3D, a demo by CableLabs at the Cable-Tec Expo next week is a great first step. The demo will be on a real cable plant and will fit on a single existing size cable channel. That's about all the details we know right now, but we'd assume it's using H.264 instead of MPEG-2, and we can only hope it is 1080p30, or better, to each eye. One other nuget in the article is that the broadcast will work with both circular polarized and active shutter glasses, which is something we've wondered about. Also on display will be 3D TVs from LG, Hyundai, Sony and Panasonic.

3D cable TV to be demoed at Cable-Tec Expo next week originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Panasonic

Apparently even one of the main proponents of the 3D at home movement is still able to see its shortcomings, as detailed in this Wall Street Journal article. Prez Fumio Ohtsubo sees a 3-4 year time period before 3D gains wider acceptance, while the company continues to work on implementing it in smaller televisions, portable devices and glasses-free 3D. Combine that with the still miniscule amount of 3D content and the extra expense for compatible hardware, and we can see why Panasonic is unwilling to put all its eggs into one glasses-filled basket. All that aside, this time next year, expect to see 3D highest among the list of features on high end, large HDTVs where contrast ratio, Hz, widgets and other bullet pointed items currently reside.

Timeframe for the 3D infiltration? 3 - 4 years, says Panasonic president originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry

And some people didn't know it is possible to make an old movie look good in HD, and here Pixar is going back and making 15 year old movies 3D. Evidently Pixar has always thought about how its movies would look in 3D and decided to go back and make it happen with the first two Toy Story movies. The timing is due to the fact that Toy Story 3 is right around the corner, but while fans wait to see it, they can go to the theater and relive the first two like never before. What's interesting is that the original data took about 4 months to convert just to make it compatible with Pixar's current technology, and after that was done, it took another 6 months to convert each movie to 3D. The other interesting nuget is about how the distance between the two cameras help determine how "3D" an image will look -- an interesting read even if you're not interested in 3D.


[Via TVSnob.com]

Pixar talks about what it took to upgrade Toy Story to 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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INTERVIEW. In a wide-ranging interview with Biz-news.com, Benjamin Schwarz, chief technology officer for CTO Innovation Consulting Group, who has 20 years of international experience in consulting and in Telco & Media organization, gave an insight into the IPTV development.

He also talks about the new opportunities the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa gives IPTV. He is convinced the World Cup would witness a tremendous shift to new and highly advanced 3D video demonstrations.

Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Displays

You know what the least accurate type of survey is? One where you ask someone what they'd pay for something, because we don't know about anyone else, but the answer is almost always, "as little as possible." So it isn't much of a shocker that when asked, only 43 percent of those interested in 3D at home, said they're willing to spend an extra $200 for a 3D capable HDTV. Of that same group who actually wants 3D, only 33 percent would be willing to spend an extra $50 on a 3D capable Blu-ray player -- no clue why these two numbers aren't the same, guess the respondents didn't think about where the 3D content would come from. Although these numbers aren't encouraging, we wonder if a similar survey was ever conducted for 1080p HDTVs. We say that because at this point most consumers wouldn't think about buying a 720p HDTV and 3D is a much bigger upgrade.

Survey says consumer won't pay that much extra for 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony announced the development of a single lens 3D camera technology capable of recording “natural and smooth” 3D images of even fast-moving subject matter such as sports, at 240fps.

The new technology combines an optical system for single lens 3D camera which captures the left and right images simultaneously, together with existing high frame rate (HFR) recording technology to realize 240fps 3D filming.

Aiming to bring Full HD 3D TVs to the market in 2010, Panasonic steps up its efforts in developing the related technology. The company has just developed a 50-inch Full HD 3D compatible plasma display panel (PDP) and high-precision active shutter glasses that enable the viewing of theater-quality, true-to-life 3D images in the living rooms.

The new PDP and glasses evolved from Panasonic's Full HD 3D Plasma Home Theater System that was developed in 2008 and comprised of a 103-inch PDP and a Blu-ray Disc player. The prototype PDP has a 50-inch screen, which is expected to become the most popular size for home theaters.

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Panasonic, Plasma

True, Panasonic's 103-inch 3D television is more desirable, but Panny's new 50-incher will be more affordable when it comes time to buy your first 3D set. The 1080p TV requires viewers to wear special specs, naturally, in this case, Panasonic's active "shutter" glasses. As the name implies, the lenses switch in sync with the TV so that the right image is seen by the right eye and the left image is seen by the left eye. All that quick image swapping requires new PDP materials and chips to maintain screen brightness. The new prototype will be on display at Ceatec show in Tokyo next week with plans for commercialization in 2010. You know, assuming anyone wants it.

Panasonic's 50-inch 3D plasma announced, seeks fine family home originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Other hardware, Toshiba, LCD

Just in case there was any doubt, Toshiba has confirmed plans to launch its halo product, the Cell (for Cell Broadband engine, similar to the one in the PS3) TV, with all the LED backlit 3D GUI, 3840x2160 resolution, and DLNA streaming capabilities one could want, in Japan by the end of the year. Thanks to the company's new religion, it will also feature a Blu-ray recorder to go along with the 1TB hard drive, though we can bet that will be axed before making its way stateside in 2010. Of course we're still looking forward to the Media Center Extender packing display expected here some time soon, but when an executive promises the "ultimate entertainment machine" we can't help but wonder what's in store. More detailed specifications and any pricing info other than "it will be fairly expensive" are still unavailable.

Toshiba's Cell TV still on for 2009 debut, now with Blu-ray originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 23:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc

The solution to consumers gripes over ill fitting and odd looking 3D eyewear? Offer up polarized lenses in designer frames, or even prescription strength for glasses-wearers. That's what some execs have suggested at the 3D Entertainment Summit, revealing plans for Gucci and other frames to hit stores ahead of the launch of Avatar in December. We're still anticipating serious sticker shock when 3D comes home next year, tacking on ultraexpensive options above the already hiked theater price seems like the perfect way to stop any momentum this trend has gained.

RealD figures designer glasses might help the acceptance of 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Blu-ray, Panasonic, Plasma

It's been less than a year since we first entered Panasonic's demo trailer, the main difference at CEDIA this year was the addition of a trailer for James Cameron's Avatar. We were lucky enough to get an early look at the footage shown, while it shared much with the trailer released a few weeks ago, you haven't seen the Terminator and Titanic director's latest effort unless you've seen it in 3D. Check after the break for the rest of our thoughts on the 3D demo, and what the future has to hold for thid display tech in the home.

Continue reading Panasonic Full HD 3D experience eyes-on

Panasonic Full HD 3D experience eyes-on originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, JVC, LCD

Jumpin' Jehosaphat! We know exchange rates have been sort of crazy of late, but we can say with a good deal of certainty that the in-home 3D revolution isn't going anywhere with MSRPs like this. After introducing the 46-inch GD-463D10 3D LCD HDTV in various overseas markets, JVC is announcing here at CEDIA that its flagship 3D panel is now available on US soil for a solid chunk of change. The 1080p display touts a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, three HDMI sockets, 178-degree viewing angles, a depth of 1.5-inches and two incredibly awesome sets of 3D goggles. If you're not concerned that actual 3D content is all but nonexistent for home users, you can snag this now for $9,153 (and not a penny more).

JVC brings 46-inch GD-463D10 3D LCD HDTV to America: shipping now for $9,200 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Others

As Sony's notoriously power-thirsty PS3 receives a major boost in efficiency, you might think the age of the gluttonous gadget is at an end. Zero Creative, however, is here to show us that some manufacturers just aren't interested in being green. The company has created a 71-inch version of its xyZ (not xYz) lineup, a 3D LCD that sucks down an impressive 1 kilowatt when turned on. Given your average eco-friendly display tends to require something like 20 to 50 watts to bring you an image, that's quite an energy premium to pay -- and that's on top of the €70,000 price tag (about $100,000). Of course, what those purportedly eco-friendly LCDs can't do is give you a 3D image even without glasses, a feature that is the very specialty of the commercially-minded xyZ lineup. An inability to display anything in plain 'ol 2D is something of a shortcoming, but we're told switchable versions are coming -- as is an even bigger, 100-inch screen that will surely ship with a dedicated coal-fired power plant.

Zero Creative's 71-inch 3D LCD will make environmentalists weep originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other hardware

The wait for honest to goodness quality 3D at home is almost over and with just about every display company out there trying to be the first to bring it into the home, it looks like Digital Projection might be the first -- for those that can afford it anyways. The Total 3D Expreience system includes everything you need to get started including a TITAN or LIGHTING 1080p 3D display, a Dimension media server with high performance graphics adapter and Blu-ray drive, Active 3D glasses, infra-red emitters and even a pre-programmed iPod touch for a remote. The media server is pre-packed with some high quality 3D, which we assume will have to hold you over until there are more 3D movies on Blu-ray. Although we still question 3D at home, no doubt there will be some takers, but if you're one of those who can't wait, you can jump in on this offering in the next two to three months -- assuming you can pay the yet to be announced king's ransom.

Continue reading Digital Projection announces the Total 3D Experience System

Digital Projection announces the Total 3D Experience System originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Displays, Philips

If you haven't noticed, 3D is going to be big in 2010. Not at Philips though, at least not yet. Instead of charging in to the market like Sony, Philips is willing to hedge its bets and wait on consumer demand. Consumers, of course, are waiting for content. And hey, maybe everybody's wrong and quad-HD will be the next big thing to drive TV sales. Regardless, Philips wants everyone to know that its technology is ready when you are so its got a 3D prototype Blu-ray player and stunning 3D version of its 56-inch Cinema 21:9 TV here at IFA in Berlin. While the idea of watching movies in 3D sounds like a novelty, the idea of gaming in 3D is downright compelling -- awkward passive polarized glasses be damned!

Philips 56-inch 21:9 3D TV's future is so bright we had to wear shades originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Sony

As it turns out, yesterday's report was spot-on. Sony today announced that it is bringing the experience of looking absolutely ridiculous in 3D glasses home to the living room. The initiative is "starting in 2010" and will expand through BRAVIA LCD HDTVs, VAIO machines, PlayStation 3, and Blu-ray discs... and not in the press release, but we clearly see a CyberShot digital camera in the promotional video (look out, Fujifilm). It's hard to say from the wording if all the listed product lines will go 3D next year, but from what we gather there'll at least be BRAVIA sets in time for that Christmas. Curious see the zaniest video this side of the second dimension? Well, we don't have that, but you can giggle your way through Sony's promo after the break.

Continue reading Video: Sony confirms it's 'bringing home 3D' starting in 2010

Video: Sony confirms it's 'bringing home 3D' starting in 2010 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Blu-ray, Sony

The Financial Times has it on good word what the major unveil in Sony chief Sir Howard Stringer's keynote tomorrow at IFA 2009 will, so much so that it's quoting him with phrases he hasn't even said yet. According to the report, the company is making a huge push into the third dimension, with 3D BRAVIA HDTVs hitting the retail channels by the end of 2010. Also on the menu is 3D-compatible PlayStation 3 titles (which we've kind of heard before), VAIO laptops, and Blu-ray movies, but it's unclear from the article if they shares the same 2010 timeline. Polarized glasses will be required for use, but hey, just consider it a fashion statement. We're now very anxious to see how close Sir Stringer sticks to this purported script for tomorrow's big event.

Sony to debut 3D BRAVIA TVs by end of 2010, also eyeing 3D VAIOs, Blu-ray films, and PS3 games? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Swiss brand nvp3D introduced the FreeD Multi-Media Player – the first portable autonomous 3D monitor for viewing without glasses.

The device is autonomous, that means there is no need of a computer connection to view. The content – videos and photos - is displaying on 7-inch monitor from the SD card. Autonomy of the player is limited by the battery to approx. 2 hours.

Filed under: Blu-ray, Panasonic

Instead of offering a tour of its 3D lab as we hoped, Panasonic is bringing 103-inch plasmas and 3D capable Blu-ray players to you, planning to send around tractor trailers to promote its technology and the new James Cameron flick, Avatar. IFA and CES will also get the full 3D experience, with the company still planning to put hardware on shelves in 2010. It expects HDMI 1.4 and Blu-ray 3D spec standardization to have the market primed and ready, and while 3D may not be for everyone, we're sure those interested are just waiting to toss those silly two-color glasses in the trash to get with this stereoscopic solution.

Panasonic taking 3D, Avatar on world tour this fall originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: JVC, LCD

If you're the kind of person who happens to have a number of LCD HDTV's lying around, we suggest you give University of California, San Diego's Calit2 Visualization Team a ring. Researchers from the group have constructed a three-column, nine-panel 3D display using flat screens from JVC, stereoscopic glasses, and "game PCs with high end NVIDIA game engines." Dubbed NexCAVE, it's a much more inexpensive version of the its projector-powered StarCAVE used for data analysis, although its range is more limited -- on the plus side, however, since this is LCD, it can be used in bright rooms. At 6,000 x 1,500 pixel, the resolution isn't as mind-blowing as we'd hope, but the team is currently building a version for Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah University for Science and Technology (KAUST) that's 7 columns (totaling 21 panels) and 15,000 x 1,500 resolution. If nothing else, any chance we can play Mirror's Edge on this? Video demonstration of the nine-panel rig after the break.

[Via PhysOrg]

Continue reading Nine HDTVs form 3D visualization rig, but only in the name of science

Nine HDTVs form 3D visualization rig, but only in the name of science originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sky has announced that it will launch the UK’s first 3D channel next year. The channel will offer a broad selection of the available 3D programming, which is expected to include movies, entertainment and sport.

Filed under: Others, Satellite

We can still remember the days, not too long ago, that HD channels were but a sparse luxury. Now of course they're a dime a dozen, but you can still look onward to the next big thing, which BSkyB is wagering will be 3D. The satellite broadcast is gearing up to launch a 3D television station next year to showcase movies, and sports -- the latter of which we're thinking will be the biggest draw. Any customer with a Sky+ HD box can receive the transmission, but you're also gonna need to look past that ragged old flat-panel HDTV and instead use a 3D-ready set and glasses. We can't imagine a huge demand for this anytime in the near future, but if the technology does take off, they'll be more than ready to capitalize.

3D TV channel coming to UK next year, 3D-ready set and glasses required originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 23:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Cables, Panasonic

It's unlikely you have any HDMI 1.4 equipped 1080p 3D, or 4K/2K capable equipment laying around the house, but that hasn't stopped Panasonic from rolling out these high speed cables already, just announced in Japan. Expected to launch August 27, they range in length from 1m to 10m, and in price from ¥4,000 ($42) to ¥20,000 ($210.) Sure you could import them just to stunt on your Monster Cable owning friends, but somehow we suspect most will be waiting for these to hit Monoprice, Blue Jeans Cable and the like, oh, and for equipment that can actually take advantage of their extra capabilities.

[Via AV Watch]

Panasonic delivering HDMI 1.4 cables in Japan next month: $42 for 1 meter originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Cables, Other hardware, Others

The new HDMI 1.4 spec adds a host of new features (and, most likely, a lot of new ways to get scammed on cable purchases) but for those excitedly anticipating Audio Return Channel, HDMI Ethernet Channel and 3D over HDMI should know Silicon Image has announced its first line of chips supporting them. Destined for HDTVs, receivers, Blu-ray players and the like, the new port processor and transmitter have the extremely specific sample delivery date of "second half of 2009" so while we certainly don't expect to see any actual hardware until well into next year, keep an ear to the ground if you're considering an upgrade before then.

3D, ARC and Ethernet capable HDMI 1.4 hardware announced, still a long way off originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Internet

Like it or not, 3D movies are coming to your house. If you're looking to be one of the first on the block to stream the third-dimension onto your computer monitor or 3D-ready HDTV, Sonic Solutions is making sure you have that option. Announced today, the company is utilizing Roxio's CinemaNow platform to provide users access to 3D films, and all of those files are optimized for use with NVIDIA's GeForce GPUs and its 3D Vision / 3D Vision-ready displays. Frankly, we're shocked to see CinemaNow involved in all of this, but this just might be the offering that makes the service at least marginally relevant again. Sadly, there's no hard data surrounding pricing and release, but needless to say, you should probably go ahead and don those funky goggles just in case it goes down sooner rather than later.

Sonic brings 3D movies into the home via CinemaNow originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays

We still have no idea how to bring this tech home, but Zero Creative has recently been showing off its glasses free 3D setup, bringing 1080p 3D to events and retail locations near you. Overall this autostereoscopic display seems to be offering better contrast ratio (1,800:1) than the (now discontinued) WOWvx based Philips screens we were drooling over last year, at a much lower price of just €6,795 for the 46-inch version. We won't claim to understand how the lenticular lens works, but without a way to experience the 3D effect on your own screen you'll have to take the word of overly excited conference attendees on how impressive it is, videos are embedded after the break.

[Thanks, Addae]

Continue reading xyZ autostereoscopic display takes the glasses out of 3D for (relatively) cheap

xyZ autostereoscopic display takes the glasses out of 3D for (relatively) cheap originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Ask Engadget HD, Displays

You'd have to be living under a rock to miss the flurry of 3D content and standards flying around during the last few years, though very few have actually bought in up to this point. But what about someone ready to get a jump on things, and set up their home theater for the full Captain EO experience right now? That's Joel's question, we'll let him take it from here:

"I just moved into a new house with a room I'm specifically planning for my home theater setup and need something that will beat all the equipment my friends have. The way I figure, a 3D setup should keep me ahead of the curve for some time, but I can't decide who to go with. Dual projector, plasma, LCD? Samsung & Mitsubishi are two I know already offering 3D ready equipment, but is there anyone out there that's tried them out yet?

Well, there it is, instead of just keeping up with the Joneses some people want to get way ahead of them. So c'mon, if anyone's been brave enough to invest in the future, let us know where you found the proper equipment right now (and content) for a 3D experience worthy of an upcoming Avatar viewing party.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.

Ask Engadget HD: How can I get my home theater ready for 3D, right now? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other formats, Other hardware

While you'll probably have to wait for James Cameron's Avatar for a proper stereoscopic 3D experience on consoles, Disney is readying two games this summer that will not only support anaglyph 3D (good news, it will work on any TV, bad news, it's the same low quality red/blue style 3D you've seen and ignored before), but come with two pairs of glasses packed in. Just continuing on the 3D hype its been dispensing to the kids with Jonas Bros. and Hannah Montana flicks both on the big screen and at home, highlighted most recently with Up and culminating in the upcoming Toy Story 1 & 2 3D remakes in October, Disney is clearly making an effort to work the technology in on every level with special 3D modes (no cheat codes necessary.) Toy Story Mania is a Wii-exclusive game due this fall based on the ride at its resorts, while G-Force brings spy guinea pigs to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 July 21.

[Via Joystiq]

3D glasses included in two new Disney games for Xbox 360, PS3 & Wii originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The executive who helped Panasonic develop its Blu-ray discs and 3D FullHD TV technologies has been named as the new chief technology officer of Panasonic Consumer Electronics North America.
Eisuke Tsuyuzaki, Panasonic’s Hollywood Laboratory managing director, is replacing Paul Liao who is leaving the company to be the new CEO of Cable Television Laboratories.

Filed under: Displays, JVC, LCD

After a showing in Japan, JVC's taken its GD-463D10 3D monitor to CEDIA in the UK, confirming that polarized glasses can make people look dorky on any continent. Otherwise the specs are the same, adjusted for a £8,000 price tag, though that's only a concern if you can grab one of the 2,000 JVC plans to sell, whether that's just for the UK or all regions though, is unclear. Just like its slender cousin, we're still waiting to hear when this hits the U.S.

JVC GD-463D10 3D monitor pops up in the UK, brings silly glasses for all originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, LG, LCD

LG is set to release its first 3D TV -- the 47-inch 47LH50 LCD -- into the Korean market next month. As our tech overlords, this could signal a trend that'll head west. In fact, LG estimates that the 3D television market will exceed 30 million units by 2012 -- exactly what we'd say too if we were in the business of selling televisions. Hmm, 30 million TVs multiplied by 4.5 pairs of glasses required for the average household -- guess we'll be investing in polarized lenses.

[Via @visitken]

LG readies first 47LH50 3D LCD TV -- just 29,999,999 to go originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc

On the 3D movement, DDD has consistently been a step ahead so far, shipping add-on hardware for Samsung televisions and jumping on the bandwagon in Japan, but if you're still unsure about its impact check out this interview with I4U. Unfortunately there's no new details on the latest 2d-to-3D hardware we're waiting on, but CEO Chris Yewdall drops science on glasses free 3D, new laptops on the way from Acer and 3D gaming. Most notable are his comments that users are happy to wear glasses, given the much greater resolution experienced compared to autostereoscopic solutions, plus the company's open approach to porting PC games to its TriDef Ignition platform allowing enthusiasts to create a profile and use any display with their solution. That enough info to have you itching for a 3D TV?

DDD CEO talks the future of 3D HDTV originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 23:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Others, DLP, LCD, Projector

Viewsonic announces three new 3D projectors originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other formats, Other hardware

We'll admit it, we fell asleep during James Cameron's epic description of the game that will accompany his latest movie, Avatar, during E3 earlier this week, so we have no idea what it will be like. What we do know however, is that the movie is expected to be another leap forward for 3D technology, and apparently the game will be as well, now that Sensio has announced Ubisoft will deliver it in stereoscopic 3D. All that should be required is connecting one of the consoles to a Sensio-compatible TV (Panasonic's 3D Full HD Plasma Home Theater System was used to demo the game at E3, although its unclear if that was a special version) and a pair of 3D glasses.

James Cameron's Avatar game coming in stereoscopic Sensio 3D on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Other formats, Other hardware

Outside of the frozen food section at the supermarket, nothing beats the summer heat quite like a cool (or downright cold) movie theater, and the recently Sony/RealD 4k-equipped Prytania theater in New Orleans just added 3D capabilities to entice viewers some more. No surprise -- Disney's summer blockbuster, Up, was the first talkie to make the leap off the silver screen at the newly outfitted venue, and we suspect that The Prytania -- the only theater in N'awlins to have Up in 3D -- raked in a healthy crowd for its investment. We love to see storied theaters keep up with the times, and this almost 95-year old movie house is no exception.

[Thanks, gamedude360!]

New Orleans' Prytania rises up to 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 13:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Cables, Ports

We already heard that HDMI 1.4 was just around the bend, and now HDMI Licensing has come forward with all of the official details surrounding the specification. Unfortunately for AV enthusiasts, it seems as if we're taking two steps forward and three back, and we get this sinking feeling that HDMI 1.5 will be here before we know it. At any rate, the main additions to the format are an Ethernet channel, audio return channel, 3D over HDMI, 4K x 2K resolution support, a micro HDMI connector (around half the size of the existing HDMI Mini plug) and an automotive connection system. All fine and good, right? Sure, until you get to the part about having to choose between five different HDMI 1.4 cables, something that the suits at Monster just had to have a hand in. For a detailed look at what you'll need to study up on before buying your next HDMI cable, clinch your fists and hit the the read link.

HDMI 1.4 officially detailed: Ethernet / Audio Return channels, 3D, 4K x 2K support originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 28 May 2009 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, LG, LCD

LG's certainly been known to dabble in the third-dimension, and while we're still waiting for it to ship those "one or two" 3D TVs this year, at least we're confident that it's getting closer. Over in South Korea, the company has showcased a new Full HD (1080p) 3D monitor with what it says is the highest brightness level of any competing panel. Sadly, viewers are still required to don glasses when ingesting the action, but this take on the tech enables said eyewear to be somewhat thinner and less cumbersome. Have a peek at the vid down in the read link.

Video: LG demos ultra-bright Full HD 3D monitor originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 27 May 2009 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Blu-ray

Count the Blu-ray Disc Association as the latest to jump on the 3D standards bandwagon, announcing the formation of a task force to create a universal 3D home entertainment spec. It's already been said that Blu-ray will be a great delivery mechanism for 3D, but without a standard, even incredible productions like Coraline come home in anaglyph 3D instead of the stereoscopic 3D format that more HDTV sets are beginning to support. We won't even begin to wonder who they will back, there's not even a timetable for meetings yet but hopefully all this gets worked out sooner rather than later so we can enjoy our Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience at home, the same way we did in the theater (3 times, it was fantastic.)

Blu-ray Disc Association working to create a standard for home 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 19 May 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Blu-ray

Waiting for the next big 3D release to come home? Universal has slotted Coraline for July 21, with a 3D and 2D version included in the 2 disc set set, along with four pairs of 3D glasses. Extra features like U-control and Digital Copy are 2D only, but with 5.1 DTS-HD MA soundtrack and D-BOX Motion Code included, it's hard to see anything this release is missing. Of course, it could be proper stereoscopic 3D instead of anaglyph, but until those 3D HDTVs gain wider adoption, we guess this will have to do.

Coraline Blu-ray disc brings home 3D & 2D versions July 21 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 18 May 2009 04:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Displays, LCD

Like 3D, don't like glasses? Check out 750 7th Avenue at 50th Street in New York for the Snickers display where Inwindow Outdoor and Alioscopy have teamed up for the first 3D LCD ad on a storefront. The 42-inch panel uses an 8x recorded autosteroscopic (read: no glasses) 3D process to make the catchphrase jump off the wall at passers-by. The installation debuted May 6, and for the small cost of being marketed to vs. the now-shelved €18,000 Philips screen we once lusted after, it's a cheap way for us to get a peek at the future.

NY storefront hosts the first no-glasses 3D LCD ad originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 11 May 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Cable, New content

In the race to bring home 3D Shaw Cable has taken an early lead, although we're not sure everyone would agree it's worth it. Together with Corus Entertainment, it's loading up the VOD library full of films, sports, concert events and other content all in anaglyph (red/blue) 3D and distributing glasses free of charge to all of its subscribers. No word on how much ordering up the content will cost or when it will be available, but the biggest factor in our disappointment is that while it will work on any television, the quality simply doesn't compare to proper stereoscopic 3D. Still, Canadians haven't been able to call "First" many times, we guess we'll let them have this one. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via Digital Home Canada]

Shaw Cable offering 3D video on-demand, but not the good kind originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 08 May 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Others, LCD

Consider yourself moving closer to the no too far off in the distant future, now that the Nikkei has learned NEC is getting ready to bring its glasses-free horizontal double-density pixel 3D LCD displays to market. The first 12.1-inch models will probably have a home in arcade gaming machines, industrial design or surgery simulators when they launch early next year, but 3.1-inch versions for 3DTV on the go are in development as well. Of course they're only SVGA for now, but we'll be expecting slightly higher res once NEC works this tech up to larger sizes that can benefit from it. [Warning: registration required on read link]

Glasses-free 3D LCDs on the way from NEC originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 07 May 2009 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other formats, Projector

It may be stretching the definition of what we'd call "portable" around here by quite a large margin, but RealD's touting its latest creation as the world's first mobile, single-projector 3D solution. The RealD LP can blast video on screens up to 17 feet wide with a 150:1 contrast ratio -- glasses still required for the full effect, of course. No price mentioned, but we reckon it's still in the realm of "if you have to ask, you can't afford it."

RealD LP makes 3D projection a touch more portable originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 05 May 2009 23:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Misc, Panasonic

While we're trying to figure out if this is the time 3D technology will stick, after a demo at NAB 2009, ZD's Robin Harris is convinced that not only is it the future, but a possible way to save Blu-ray. Moving aside for a moment the question of whether Blu-ray needs saving, his point is that the crisp Panasonic demo eclipses previous tech shows why 3D represents enough of a jump over standard definition to convince customers to pay for new displays, players and discs, and HD 3D needs Blu-ray's capacity and bandwidth even more than just 1080p. Recent 3D exhibitions have impressed us too, and between unified standards in the works, compatible displays coming on the market and Hollywood studios chipping in with new 3D flicks and remastered old ones it may have a future in the home someday, but still-extravagant costs, inelegant glasses and infighting have us thinking Blu-ray will have to stand on its own even beyond 2010.

Can 3D push customers to Blu-ray faster than HD? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Sports

The X Games haven't even been HDTV broadcasts that long, but this summer they'll make the jump to 3D with X Games 3D the Movie. Coming as a part of Disney's Digital 3D push, it will include footage from multiple X Games events including skateboarding with Danny Way, Shaun White snowboarding and Travis Pastrana rally car racing, calling itself the first sports-themed 3D movie. 3D definitely brought something extra to the BCS National Championship Game, so while extreme sports may not be our most logical next step, we'll be checking this one out too.

ESPN presenting X Game 3D the Movie this summer originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Displays, Sony, Internet, OLED

We've been waiting for what seems like ages for the next iteration of the XEL-1 to dash in and swoop us off of our feet, but frankly, we're growing anxious. As the world waits for a commercial-ready OLED TV that's larger than a standard sheet of paper, industry insiders down at the IFA briefings in Malta this past week believe that Sony could be gearing up to make all sorts of hopes and dreams come true this September. Jens Heithecker, executive director of Messe Berlin, which organizes the IFA trade fair, noted that "IFA is a trade show which is focused more on market-ready technologies," hinting that anything we see in just a few short months will be prepared for release into the wild. We're also told that more "ultra-widescreen" 21:9 sets -- like Philips' masterpiece -- could be on display, not to mention scores of internet-ready HDTVs and a Samsung set with refresh rates of 400Hz. Needless to say, IFA's shaping up to be quite a show for the television sector, so you may want to think twice (or thrice, if necessary) about snagging a new panel on August 31st.

[Via OLED-Info]

Sony to finally unveil larger-screen OLED TVs at IFA? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 19 Apr 2009 20:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Sony

Proving it can play well with others, Sony Pictures has decided to throw in with most of the other major studios in the Digital Cinema Implementation Partners to fund digital projection switches across North America. Similar to its existing deal with RealD to go straight to 3D with 4K SXRD equipment, these digital cinemas can be converted to 3D later. Since we first heard about the group's plans to upgrade movie theaters, plans have slowed due to the credit crisis, but with every major studio except Warner Bros. on board, it would seem they've got the backing to make 20,000 digital perfect -- and cheap digital print movie distribution compatible -- sooner rather than later.

Sony joins up with DCIP, assists in switching theaters over to digital projection originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Philips

Many people are giving up many things to get by in this dire recession, things like vacations, new cars, and highly expensive though well deserved plastic surgery procedures to finally deliver the pectoral definition that nature and daily push-ups won't. Sacrifices all, but perhaps none as big as that made by Philips, which is getting rid of an entire dimensional plane and going strictly 2D. Last year the company talked up display after display after display with glasses-free 3D tech, but now they, along with the company's entire 3D Solutions division, are all being scrapped in favor of more immediately profitable endeavors. So, who wants to buy a vibrating jacket?

Tough economic times cause Philips to axe a dimension, get by with just two originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Satellite, New content

Japan and the UK won't be able to hold their 3D broadcasts over us by the end of '09, now that AMG TV is being bought by Signet Intl. Holdings, which plans to turn it into the first 3D broadcast network. Forget waiting for a standard, Signet plans to go with a solution from Kerner Broadcast Corp. -- a spinoff of Industrial Light & Magic and wholly owned subsidiary of Signet -- that promises a $50 add-on to bring 3D to any HDTV. Described by its own CEO as a 5, on a 1 - 10 scale of 3D quality it doesn't immediately inspire confidence, but we're willing to give this a try before knocking it. Most of the programming will be 2D converted to 3D, expect to hear a lot more before broadcasts flip on around Late November.

AMG TV plans first domestic 3D broadcast network, $50 add-ons to make your HDTV 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Cable

Count one more standards body trying to figure out how to bring the 3D experience home properly, now that CableLabs has begun investigating the best delivery system. the CableLabs VP of consumer video technology is the chair of the SCTE working group on 3D and claims there's as many as 30 different methods of multiplexing the video stream, so it could be a slow march towards a standard, including such problems as where the decoding happens, on a set-top box or in the display itself, but we should be able to expect experiements like the recent live BskyB trial here in the future, but your guess is as good as ours to precisely when.

CableLabs investigating possible 3D delivery standards originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Mitsubishi, LCD

No need for 16 speakers built right into your next HDTV? How's about the ability to watch 3D content whenever it infiltrates the home? Mitsubishi's other big introduction today comes in the form of its 2009 Home Theater TV line, a family that includes the 737 Series (60-, 65-, 73- and 82-inch), 837 Series (65-, 73- and 82-inch) and the standalone 82-inch WD-82737. The big screen crew is completely 3D ready and the whole lot features 120Hz dejudder technology, the firm's exclusive 6-color processor, four HDMI 1.3a sockets and a JADE Activity-based user interface. For those badly in need of a new set after suffering through March Madness on that 22-inch CRT, you'll be elated to know that every set mentioned here is shipping now from $1,499 to $4,999, with the full gamut of details waiting just past the break.

Continue reading Mitsubishi debuts 3D-ready Home Theater TV line, 82-incher included

Mitsubishi debuts 3D-ready Home Theater TV line, 82-incher included originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 08 Apr 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc

We're not hopping off the 3D bandwagon, but just when things couldn't be going any better a fight over money could knock things off course. Fox apparently informed theaters it wouldn't foot the $1 million bill to cover 3D glasses for Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, and already word is leaking out that the nation's largest theater chain Regal Cinemas is planning to only screen the flick in 2D, with AMC Theaters and Cinemark poised to follow suit. For its part, Fox is claiming no exhibitor has said they won't be showing Ice Age in 3D and they're only "working out the issues." Of course if they did, the plan of offering 3D as something audiences can't can't get at home could be turned on its head quickly.

[Via Cinematical]

Theaters, studios squabbling over who will pay for 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other hardware, Apple

We know your pain, Vuzix users. You hop on the subway just trying to enjoy a little in-your-face action before the workday begins, and within minutes the accusations and stereotypes start flying. "Look, it's Geordi La Forge!" "LeVar Burton, what's good?!" "Can I try my Zune on that?" Depressing, really. Unfortunately for you, Vuzix's latest cable will not make any of that any more sufferable, though it will enable you to use your existing eyewear with Apple's iPhone and enjoy the spoils of side-by-side, interlaced and anaglyph 3D content. Said cable will be bundled in with the company's iWear AV230XL, though existing customers will definitely want to snag the standalone version for $39.95. The full release is after the break.

Continue reading New cable brings iPhone, 3D support to Vuzix eyewear

New cable brings iPhone, 3D support to Vuzix eyewear originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 19:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Displays, DLP, Projector

Surely you knew that you'd eventually hear "DLP" and "3D" in the same sentence, right? Over at ShoWest this week, Texas Instruments is announcing plans for its next-generation DLP Cinema electronics platform. Generally speaking, this wouldn't be all that exciting, but this one's different. Aside from letting us know that DLP Cinema projectors will be deployed by Christie, Barco and NEC at commercial theaters around the world starting in 2010, we're also told that it will feature "increased bandwidth to integrate alternative content to incorporate live 3D broadcasting." Yep, that NAB demonstration and this year's NBA All-Star weekend were just the beginning.

Next-gen DLP Cinema platform makes room for live 3D broadcasting originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More than 10 per cent of TVs sold worldwide could have 3D capability by 2011, rising to 16 per cent or 2.8bn sets by 2015.
That's the prediction of research by Screen Digest, which suggests that technological advances mean today's 3D cinema viewing experience will soon be possible at home.

Filed under: Industry, Misc

After a massive promotional push, Monsters vs. Aliens early results are promising, with an estimated $58.2 million box office take over its opening weekend, 56% of that from people viewing the movie in 3D. Still, after dropping $175 million on worldwide promotions alone, you can bet Dreamworks Animation is expecting a bit more in the future to justify its investment, and carry over to its future films, which, if you haven't forgotten will all be in 3D. Early reviews gave the 3D effects a much better rating than the Super Bowl ad, so let us know, was it enough to get your family in the theater this weekend or anytime in the future?

Monsters vs. Aliens tops weekend box office, is this the big break for 3D? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Misc, Other formats

Remember when seeing a movie was simple? You just strolled in, paid one low price for a ticket, and you saw the flick. No worrying over which theaters had 4K projectors, which had DTS sound or which had 3D support. As cinemas across the nation continue to leap on the three-dee bandwagon, RealD and AMC Entertainment has just linked up in order to bring up to 1,500 3D screens across Canada and the US. We're told that the rollout is already underway, with more and more screens getting equipped each month. All told, this will bring RealD's 3D network to nearly 8,000 total committed screens worldwide with approximately 2,600 RealD 3D screens installed today. Excited? No?

AMC adding upwards of 1,500 3D screens in North America originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other formats, Other hardware

Certain airports have already taken the whole "walk through the metal detector" thing to the next level, but things are about to get stepped up once more thanks to TSA certification on a new product from GE Security. The CTX 9800 DSi, which happily sits in the company's explosives detection systems (EDS) line, is now free to waltz into airports in order to "protect travelers with advanced high-definition 3D imaging baggage screening technology." We're talking 360 degree, finely-detailed views of baggage contents, which will undoubtedly cause immense embarrassment when a given TSA agent sees your prime selection of underwear, nose hair trimmer and pink nail polish. Here's hoping this won't slow security lines down even further, and if you're interested in seeing what all this thing can do, just mash play on the video above.

Video: GE bringing 3D HD baggage screening to airports originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Other formats, Other hardware

iZ3D, the company responsible for that $399 22-inch 3D monitor, has just unveiled a new way to see the third dimension at the Game Developer Conference in San Francisco. The new polorized 3D glasses are currently in beta testing and should soon be released alongside the iZ3D v2.0 / DirectX 10 driver. Reportedly, these linear polarized glasses will solve color viewing issues experienced by some users, not to mention allowing for easier user adjustments. Full releases for both the spectacles and the new driver are just past the break.

Continue reading iZ3D debuts polarized 3D glasses, announces DirectX 10 driver

iZ3D debuts polarized 3D glasses, announces DirectX 10 driver originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Polls, Other formats

Considering that we just gave away 25 pairs of tickets to a 3D screening, we're expecting some serious responses to this one. With 3D doing its best to come storming back into relevancy, we've seen studio after studio commit to pumping out flicks in 3D. All the while, cinemas have been transitioning just as quickly, giving viewers the option to catch new films in 3D so long as they're kosher with rockin' the shades. So, have you checked out a theater screening in 3D? How was it? Do you plan to go again? Avoid 3D at all costs?

Poll: Have you seen a movie in 3D? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 14 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, New content

Sky has already successfully tested its 3D broadcasting capabilities, and hinted that the 2012 London Olympics could be comin' at ya like never before, but it now looks like the broadcaster could be set to roll out the service even sooner than many expected. According to Sky's Chief Engineer Chris Johns, Sky now has the "capability for homes to see 3D by year-end," although he unsurprisingly didn't offer any firm timeline for an actual rollout, or even a confirmation of the exact type of 3D system that'd be used, saying simply that they're continuing to test different systems and that he envisions it to be "glasses-based in some form." He also added that Sky is focused on building a content library "over the coming year," so that would seem to suggest that an actual launch would come very near the end of the year, if not later.

[Via Register Hardware, thanks SK]

Sky suggests UK homes could see 3D TV by the end of the year originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats

Sensio sure is racking up the support of late, first being deemed an official (albeit optional) 3D standard by the DVD Forum, and now nabbing a crucial US patent on its way to three-dee domination. The patent reportedly covers the distribution and formatting technology of stereoscopic contents on different 2D or 3D screens, which is a method that the company has developed and marketed for years. Nicholas Routhier, the company's president and CEO, proudly noted that "with this patent in hand and the recently announced developments, we believe that we have significantly increased our chances to become the 3D distribution standard for the consumer market." Of course, Panasonic would likely love to argue that very point, so we'd go ahead and get prepared for yet another format war just in case these two really do drop the gloves.

Sensio secures key US patent for its 3D technology originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other formats

Sony showed off some slick 3D gaming setups at CES last month, but since you probably don't have two PS3s, a special copy of Gran Turismo 5 and a 3D display just laying around, Skate 2 is the closest thing available right now. Punch in "strangeloops" under the Extras section of the main menu and you'll be in anaglyph 3D mode (you did hang on to your Sobe 3D glasses, right?) We're sure many are shocked that EA didn't try to slip this in as paid DLC instead of providing a free cheat code, once you've recovered check out a YouTube demo embedded after the break.

[Via TeamXbox]

Skate 2 enables red/blue 3D mode via cheat code originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 01 Mar 2009 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other formats, Other hardware, Sony

Whoa, Nelly. This is getting serious. As 3D looks to infest each and every cinema it can, Sony has just inked a potentially ginormous agreement with 3D guru RealD that will provide "3D digital cinema systems that combine a single Sony 4K projector and its new 3D dual lens adapter with RealD technology." In other words, you could soon be seeing 3D cinema through a 4K projector, which just might lead to your head exploding from visual overload. The agreement makes mention of a "specially designed optical filter tuned for the projector, resulting in the ability to deliver crisp 3D images to screens up to 55 feet in width." Also, the relationship makes it possible for existing 2D installations to be upgraded with 3D capabilities, and honestly, even we're excited about 2K of 3D resolution per eye.

Sony and RealD link up for 4K 3D cinema, our eyes weep for joy originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Misc, Other formats

Believe it or not, marketing goes a long way. According to a new joint study conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Entertainment and Technology Center at the University of Southern California, interest in 3D (at least in America) is on the rise. The research found that within the past 12 months, nearly 41 million US adults have reported seeing a 3D movie in theaters, and of those, around 40 percent admitted that they'd prefer to watch a movie in 3D versus 2D. We're struggling to determine whether to focus on the fact that over half would actually prefer the 2D version, or whether it's a good thing that the pro-3D crowd is as high as 40 percent. At any rate, the study also found that 16 percent of consumers are interested in watching 3D movies or TV shows within their home, while 14 percent are interested in playing 3D video games. Ready for the most amazing statistic? Over half of those polled said that having to wear special glasses or hold their heads still while watching a 3D TV program would have "no impact on them purchasing a 3D set for their home." Hmm.

[Image courtesy of TheAge]

CEA study finds interest growing in 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Displays, Others

Just in case you've been parked out under a local stone for the past six months and change, we figured it prudent to let you know that the 3D bandwagon has totally regained momentum. So much momentum, in fact, that the brilliant minds over at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have decided to bust out a 3D innovation that actually makes us eager to sink our minds into the elusive third dimension. The iPoint 3D, which we're hoping to get up close and personal with at CeBIT next week, is a technology that enables Earthlings to interact with a 3D display via simple gestures -- all without touching the panel and without those style-smashing 3D glasses. The gurus even go so far as to compare their creation to something you'd see in a science fiction flick, with the heart of it involving a recognition device (usually suspended above the user) and a pair of inbuilt cameras. There's no mention of just how crazy expensive this would be if it were ready for the commercial realm, but we'll try to snag an estimated MSRP for ya next week.

[Via Physorg]

iPoint 3D brings gesture-based inputs to 3D displays originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Cable

In another small step along the road to proper 3D at home, the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers announced its standards program is looking into 3D content delivery over cable networks. Apparently planning to "consider" work already under way by SMPTE, CEA and others, the SCTE's 3D over Cable project is mostly committed to figuring out how existing standards might need to change to support 3D. There's no way to know if this will even lead to an additional standard, but you can believe the cable giants want their say in how 3D at home develops and whether they're ready to jump on the bandwagon.

SCTE considering a 3D over cable standard originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 07:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Others, Philips, LCD

Forget all those 1080p sets with internet connectivity -- what you really want is an HDTV that does three-dee. Over at the Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas, 3DFusion has announced the market launch of its 3DFMax stereoscopic, glasses free, broadcast ready (get all that?) 3D display. The set is built upon the Philips WOWvx 3D solution, but outside of that, we're really left to wonder what this thing's made of. No resolution, no contrast ratio, no price. Just the hope of a chicken in every pot and a 3D HDTV in every den.

3DFusion debuts glasses-free 3DFMax display originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats

For those of you that enjoyed the NBA All-Star circus in 3D this weekend, you'll soon be able to indulge in similar events in far more places. Cinedigm has announced today a partnership with Sony Pictures Releasing Corporation that will bring Live 3D HD capabilities to upwards of 10,000 digital cinema projection system across the US. Make no mistake -- companies can force consumers to pay attention if enough money and marketing is poured into something, and we get the feeling that these 3D events in cinemas aren't going away anytime soon. In fact, Cinedigm ultimately hopes to showcase spectacles such as the Super Bowl and the Olympic Games via its 3D HD technology, and with support like this, we don't see any reason why it won't be able to.

Cinedigm, Sony link up to bring 3D HD to 10,000 cinema projectors originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Panasonic

Panasonic sets out to bring "3D Full HD" to Blu-ray by 2010 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 17:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Announcements, Other formats, Sports

Still undecided on Valentine's Day plans? Bad news, Fred -- because every event worth its salt is already booked up by now. Don't panic just yet, though, because we've got 25 pairs of tickets (courtesy of Cinedigm) for this weekend's NBA All-Star Weekend in 3D to giveaway. If you and your lover would love to go, hit up the read link for all the official details including a way to see if it's showing near you. If so, enter your name over there and cross your fingers for a Cupid miracle.

Reminder: win Valentine's Day tickets for NBA All-Star Weekend in 3D! originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Others, Projector

Like it or not, 3D is making its way into the home -- slowly, but surely. As a followup to the TITAN 1080p-3D at ISE Europe, the company has introduced no fewer than fourteen 3D-capable projectors. Up first is the iVision sx+ 3D and iVision sx+W-3D, both of which are single-chip beamers that weigh in at seven pounds and feature SXGA+ resolutions. The differentiating factor is that the former sports a standard zoom lens, while the latter is equipped with a short throw ratio fixed lens. Moving on, we've got the overloaded TITAN 3D range, which is comprised of eight different DLP-based models that are available with SXGA+ or 1080p resolutions. For 3D applications requiring the highest lumen performance, the LIGHTNING 3D line mimics the TITAN family while upping the lumens to 21,000 and bumping contrast to 4,000:1. No prices are mentioned, but you can tap the read link for more details on the full lot.

Digital Projection reveals TITAN, LIGHTNING and iVision 3D projectors originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 06:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Announcements, Other formats, Sports

Remember when we told you that Cinedigm, Turner Sports and the NBA would be broadcasting TNT's coverage of NBA All-Star Saturday Night in 3D? Remember just how bad you wanted to go? We've excellent news -- for those still scrambling to firm up their Valentine's Day plans, we've got 25 pairs of tickets to this here showing in live 3D HD, and we're giving every last set to you readers. 80 digitally equipped theaters in 35 states will be showing the event (and giving away freebies!), which kicks off at 8:00PM ET on February 14th. Hop on past the break to have a look at the full list of cinemas which are taking part (or just enter your ZIP code here), and if one's nearby, feel free to drop a comment below to consider yourself entered. Your honey / manly man will love you for it.

Special thanks to Cinedigm for the tickets!


The rules:

• Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, though we'd prefer to hear who you think will win this year's Slam Dunk contest.
  
• You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.)
• If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine.
  
• Contest is open to anyone in the 48 continental US States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
  
• Winner will be chosen randomly. 25 winners will receive two (2) tickets to the Live 3D HD showing of the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend in cinemas. Approximate value is $18 to $22 per ticket.
  
• Entries can be submitted until Tuesday, February 10th, 11:59AM ET. Good luck!
• Full rules can be found here.

Continue reading Valentine's Day Giveaway: tickets for NBA All-Star Weekend in 3D!

Valentine's Day Giveaway: tickets for NBA All-Star Weekend in 3D! originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: NBC, Primetime

Love it or hate it, 3D has been on a tear in 2009, and it enjoyed the biggest audience yet over the last two nights with a quick Super Bowl ad and follow up hour long 3D episode of Chuck, both on NBC. However, given the mixed opinions, and the questionable tech used to bring 3D to homes that aren't really equipped to deal with it, we're not sure if the movement went forward or backwards last night. Our friends at Cinematical and TV Squad have chipped in opinions on the Monsters vs. Aliens promo (embedded after the break) and special TV event, but what about you? As a glasses-only affair it required an audience a bit more prepared than usual than usual for TV, and there were plenty of chances for problems and misunderstanding. PR reps for theater 3D companies were quick to point out their stereoscopic technology provides much higher quality (we agree) than you saw on NBC, and while that begs the question why bother at all, it seems like the chance to seed the potential of 3D -- even with a subpar anaglyph display -- was too big of an opportunity to ignore.

Read - I don't care what NBC is saying... 3D on TV still doesn't work
Read - Poll: Did You Like The 3D Superbowl Movie Commercials?

Continue reading Did NBC's promotional shove help or hurt 3D?

Did NBC's promotional shove help or hurt 3D? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other formats, Internet, Advertising, Sports, Primetime

Yeah, today's big game is but hours away, but if you're itching to put those newfangled 3D goggles to use beforehand, you're in luck. Reindeer has hosted up tonight's 3D SoBe ad on YouTube in high-def, and folks with those glasses -- which can supposedly still be picked up at hard-to-miss kiosks in grocery outlets and retail stores if any stock remains -- can tap the read link to have a look right now. Obviously we wouldn't do so if you're not much on spoilers, but we're betting your curiosity is going to get the best of you. Once you've watched, chime in below with your thoughts on the quality. Fair? Great? Just plain gimmicky?

SoBe's 3D Super Bowl commercial available now on YouTube HD originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 01 Feb 2009 11:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other hardware, Others

Sensio is no new arrival to this 3D thing, claiming 10 years of investment, but count us among those surprised to find out its 3D technology has been deemed an optional DVD standard by the DVD Forum in a letter vote. Currently the only 3D standard for the home market that's quite a feat especially if you're expecting this 3D phenomenon to stick, but as HD DVD found out, the blessing of the DVD Forum may not be enough without hardware and software support to back it up. This is the same tech that powered the BCS Championship Game and the upcoming NBA All Star Weekend productions, and there's already a whole list of Sensio 3D movies available on their website if you've got compatible equipment, which includes many DVD players and projectors already available. Seems like Sensio 3D Compatible will be joining feature checklists next to DTS and the rest, now, to find out how the competition will respond.

Sensio 3D tagged official, optional 3D standard by DVD Forum originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other formats

We'll admit -- we were pretty amazed to hear that Journey To The Center Of The Earth pulled in more revenue in 3D than 2D, but this figure is downright jaw-dropping. My Bloody Valentine 3D, which we noticed was one of the first big screen releases to really be pushed in the format, grossed $27 million in its opening weekend. Ready for the kicker? 3D screens outperformed 2D screens 6:1, with RealD taking credit for a staggering 71 percent of the $27 million. Moreover, the flick was also the first to ever be released in over 1,000 digital 3D locations, so we're sure that didn't hurt matters. We won't deny that we've had our sincere doubts about the future of 3D cinema, but figures like this can make even the most hardened pundit take another look. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading My Bloody Valentine 3D seen six times more in 3D than 2D

My Bloody Valentine 3D seen six times more in 3D than 2D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 25 Jan 2009 15:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Displays, Other formats

You know, it's strange really. Not even four years ago, most everyone you talked to viewed 3D as a gimmicky trip reserved for theme park attractions and the occasional educational showing at the local cineplex. After all, it's hard to convince fifth graders to pay attention to a lesson in prehistoric history without a Tyrannosaurus Rex getting all up in their grilles, right? Now that CES has come and gone, it's safe to say that Hollywood (among other entities) is giving the format another chance to excel, but we still have strong reservations on whether it's actually what the people want. Join us after the break as we take a brief peek back at where 3D was, where it currently sits and where deep-pocketed executives -- those looking for the "next big thing" -- hope it goes.

Continue reading 3D: is this the resurgence that counts?

3D: is this the resurgence that counts? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Speakers

Oh, brother. Evidently the 3D bandwagon was simply getting too full, so GenAudio has decided to start a new trend: 4D. Over in Park City at the Sundance Film Festival, said outfit is demonstrating its AstoundSound 4D sound localization cue technology, which purportedly enables audio to be "perceived as coming from every direction including above and beyond the physical placement of the speakers." Jerry Mahabub, chairman and CEO of GenAudio, seems pretty stoked about bringing this fourth dimension to future 3D films, and it's also partnering up with Universal Pictures and Lionsgate to bring the enhanced audio experiences to the DVD / BD release of Hellboy II: The Golden Army and Bangkok Dangerous. If you're eager to see what the fuss is all about, you can grab its consumer audio software (AstoundStereo Expander) right now and enjoy it for free for 30 days. Just be sure to not get permanently stuck in a parallel universe or anything while trying it out.

GenAudio bringing 4D sound to 3D / 2D films originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats

While My Bloody Valentine 3D is hardly the first film to hit the silver screen in 3D, it's one of the few thus far to be marketed first as a 3D experience. Every preview that we've seen goes out of its way to somehow tease the 3D aspect, and it'll be interesting to see how well / horrible it does in theaters. For those even remotely interested in checking it out, you should also head past the break for a two-part interview with the film's director. Patrick Lussier sat down with Hollywood In Hi-Def in order to discuss the specific 3D elements of the film and how he felt these aspects served to draw the audience in deeper and produce a more riveting product. There's even a mention of a 3D Blu-ray release, which we're sure Panasonic is just drooling over. We won't spoil anything for you here -- head on past the jump and mash play (twice) for yourself.

Continue reading My Bloody Valentine 3D director gets interviewed

My Bloody Valentine 3D director gets interviewed originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry

It's no secret that as much as we love HD, we're not a big fan of 3D. It isn't that we just hate anything 3D, it's just that the demos we've seen haven't impressed. Well we're happy to report that we actually kinda enjoyed our time at the BCS Championship game in 3D. In fact there are actually a lot of things going for the idea, but to us the 3D aspect is just icing on the cake.

Continue reading 3D College football is actually quite enjoyable

3D College football is actually quite enjoyable originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Others, DLP, LCD, Projector

3D displays are hotter than Hansel right now, and ViewSonic is getting in to the new (old) tech of goggle-driven depth with a line of displays dubbed Fuhzion. First up is the 22-inch VX2265wm LCD, announced last year and sounding quite similar to the Samsung 2233RZ from yesterday. It's a 1680 x 1050, 120Hz panel with a 2ms response rate, enabling it to tackle the quick cycling that will be required to reproduce a 3D image. The other addition to the line is the PJD6220-3D DLP projector, an updated (or at least renamed) version of the company's existing PJD6220, illuminating 1024 x 768 pixels at 120Hz and a respectable contrast ratio of 2000:1. The projector is due next month for $1,499, while the VX2265wm drops in the next few weeks for a rather more reasonable $399 -- another stat that happens to match Samsung's offering.

ViewSonic turns off spell check, launches Fuhzion line of 3D display devices originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Panasonic

Panasonic invited us over for a sneak peek at its 3D demo in a theater at the booth and we're sad to say we still feel sick. We're not saying that the idea of 3D isn't cool, or that this is as bad as our father's 3D. What we're saying is we're not interested in wearing glasses that fit awkwardly and seeing various flickering artifacts on the screen. We can most definitely see the potential though if somehow the technology can evolve. But for now, even if anyone was actually announcing anything other than a proof of concept, we'd pass.

Continue reading A first hand look at Panasonic's 3D demo

A first hand look at Panasonic's 3D demo originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Other hardware, DLP, LCD

Look for something to drive your new Samsung monitor or 120Hz 3D HDTV? Enter NVIDIA's GeForce 3D Vision package, loaded up with powered 3D glasses (no red / blue silliness here, charged via USB) and an IR emitter to keep everything synced between the display and your glasses. Left 4 Dead, WoW: WotLK and several other games are already compatible with more expected to come soon. CES had a quick demo and didn't notice any of the headaches sometimes associated with stereocopic 3D, but at $399 for the display and $199 for this set when it's available in the next few days, we're not sure how close we want to get to those zombies, but WoW fans may see things differently.

NVIDIA offers up GeForce 3D Vision, takes WoW players further down the rabbit hole originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Toshiba

We swore we wouldn't fall for tech demos of Toshiba Matsushita Display's sexy optically compensated bend LCDs and their CRT-like ultra wide viewing angles and high refresh rates ever again but by adding autostereoscopic 3D (read: no glasses necessary) we're falling in love all over again. By adapting a 3D film for use with 3- and 9-inch displays, this year's CES demo promises simultaneous 2D and 3D viewing on the same display in high res. How close is OCB's curved, rather than horizontally or vertically aligned liquid crystal approach to reality? Your guess is as good as ours but for now we'll wait for some eyes-on time and throw it on the wait-and-wait-and-see heap with SED and the rest.

Toshiba Matsushita Display teases handheld, high res, no glasses 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Other hardware

Not satisfied with battling RealD for theater 3D dominance, Dolby Labs is pushing forward its 3D solution for home viewers. Timely, since this will should be the year SMPTE picks a direction and everyone gets behind it (or not,) and Dolby apparently already made its case back in September. We'll be able to judge their offering vs. Panasonic, TDVision and all others this week and hopefully come away knowing if 3D really is ready to be the next big thing or just a useless gimmick.

Dolby throws its hat into the home 3D arena originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other formats, NBC, Primetime

For those searching for a few more details on how exactly the Monsters vs. Aliens 3D trailer will be seen on Super Bowl Sunday, you've arrived at the right place. According to a new AP report on the topic, around 150 million 3D glasses will be given away for free at Pepsi / SoBe Life Water displays at 28,000 locations including grocery, drug and electronics stores and big-box retailers -- in other words, you shouldn't have to look hard to find 'em. The three minute promo will utilize Intel's InTru 3D and ColorCode 3-D technologies, which are said to be far superior to the old red-blue Anaglyph system. In fact, those without 3D glasses will still be able to make out what's going on. Oh, and if you were even the slightest bit curious as to how serious DreamWorks Animation is about pulling this off, get a load of this: the outfit's CEO, Jeffrey Katzenberg is calling the stunt "perhaps the biggest media-advertising event in history," noting that it will involve "tens of millions of dollars." Gulp.

[Image courtesy of AP Photo/Matt Sayles]

Monsters vs. Aliens 3D promo gets detailed originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Other formats, NBC

This won't come as any surprise to folks watching the absolutely thrilling Chargers vs. Colts matchup on NBC, but 3D has officially hit the mainstream. NBC has been feverishly pushing a 3D airing of a Monsters vs. Aliens trailer on Super Bowl Sunday, and a 3D episode of Chuck will follow later in February. We were even blasted with a shot of Jerome Bettis rockin' some super ugly 3D glasses, of which you'll be able to procure yourself for free in the coming weeks at select Pepsi and Sobe kiosks. Obviously, since the ads were shown to all watching tonight's tilt, no special television will be needed to enjoy the eye-popping content; now, let's just wait and see if any 3D clips are snuck into the actual Super Bowl.

[Via TVByTheNumbers]

Monsters vs. Aliens trailer, Chuck to air in 3D in February on NBC originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Sports

Mark Cuban may be up and down on the future of internet video, but he's evidently quite confident in the future of 3D cinema -- or 3D sporting events in cinemas, at least. The internet / media / basketball tycoon has put his money where his mouth is by acquiring a 9.4% stake in Carmike Cinemas. Only Cuban himself fully understands the nearly $3 million investment, but he was quoted as saying that he is "trying to expand" the live 3D broadcast-to-a-theater business. Looking back over the course of 2008, we're astounded at the amount of traction that 3D has gained, and while many may assume that live 3D sporting events in cinemas is nothing more than a gimmick, we guess we can't possibly be surprised if it ends up taking off.

Cuban invests in Carmike Cinemas, clearly expects 3D sporting events to thrive originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 06:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: DIY, Misc, Displays, Projector

You just have to love how meaningful bandwagons can be, don't you? With practically everyone from movie studio heads to TV makers champing at the bit to involve themselves with the advent of 3D, Da-Lite is making sure it doesn't miss the boat. The screen company has just announced its new 3D Projector Stackers, which are hailed as "the perfect mounting solution for front or rear projection stereoscopic 3D displays." Sure, we're no experts in mounting, but the timing here indicates that there just might be a bit of marketing hoopla going on. At any rate, the Stackers are available with two shelf sizes and are built to accommodate "the most common projectors in the market." Oh, and if you're wondering how these are so beneficial, Da-Lite states that "because projector alignment is critical to an excellent 3D display, each cradle offers a host of fine tuning adjustments to make image alignment simple and efficient." Right-o.

Da-Lite reads the trends well, intros 3D Projector Stackers originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Displays, Other formats, Other hardware, Others, Samsung

Add another to the CES must-see list, as DDD TriDef and Altera have teamed up to create automatic 2D-to-3D converting processors. Slated to run demos on a 46-inch Hyundai IT 3D LCD , the opportunity for plug and play 3D could make for an easy transition, just like the jump to HD (ha!) While you collectively shudder from horrible memories of the old days of high definition, we'll ponder whether this is the same sterescopic 3D chip Samsung is testing with an eye towards a late '09 release. Considering their long track record with DDD finding this hardware a home next to your MediaLive Digital Media Adapter doesn't seem to be entirely unreasonable speculation.

DDD chip makes all your old 2D video 3D automatically originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 27 Dec 2008 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Other formats

Sensio already partnered with JVC in the consumer 3D projection realm, and now it's looking to bring live 3D broadcasting capabilities to 50 more cinemas in the United States. The 3D cinema decoding technology will be used by Cinedigm Digital Cinema -- the same folks responsible for bringing the BCS National Championship to a slew of theaters in 3D. We're actually quite curious to see how all of this pans out; will 3D fanatics (like this guy above, obviously) rush out to view every big sporting event on the silver screen, or will HD feeds on their own big screen be good enough?

Sensio delivers live 3D broadcasting technology to 50 more US theaters originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats

Not satisfied with simply colorizing and restoring old black & white films, Legend Films is making the jump to 3D, teaming up with PassmoreLab to bring Night of the Living Dead (the original 1968 flick, now colorized, not the 2006 3D remake) to 3D screens near you. By that we mean, really near you, after a limited run in theaters starting April 1, 2009 the new version is coming to DVD and downloads (including allegedly hilarious commentary from former MST3K talent, if that's what you're into.) Legend Films prez Barry Sandrew is calling it the first full-live action feature film to be converted from 2D to 3D, now that a film most have already seen making the jump, is this enough for you to buy into the 3D hype?

Night of the Living Dead (1968) returning in 3D to theaters, DVD & downloads next year originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Misc, Other hardware, Sony

Take this one with a sizable dose of salt, but one Neil Schneider, President and CEO of Meant to be Seen (MTBS), Blitz Games Studios, has made known that Sony "fully intends" to throw in its support for "stereoscopic 3D gaming and Blu-ray 3D on PS3 in 2009 with the Blitz Tech engine." Granted, MTBS is a stereoscopic 3D certification and advocacy group, thus the whole "salt warning." The meat of the story is that 3D gaming on consoles will likely need a BIOS upgrade to work with its technology, and that capability could be unique to Sony's PS3. Like we said, this here is far from carved in stone, but given how emphatically movie studios, cinemas and home entertainment companies are pushing the third-dimension on us, we wouldn't be surprised one bit to hear that the next installment of Madden is one that requires tinted glasses to fully enjoy.

[Via HDTV Expert]

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Filed under: Displays, Others, LCD

In case you haven't noticed, iZ3D is riding the suddenly swelled wave of 3D enthusiasm all the way to the bank (and Vegas). Even though its existing 22-inch 3D LCD has been around since mid-2007, the firm has recently hacked down the price and pushed it into retail outlets in order to drum up interest. At CES, it's bringing even more firepower in the form of a 26-inch prototype (pictured) that should do everything the current 22-incher does, just 4-inches better. Additionally, it'll have on display the Immersion Series, which places a trio of the iZ3D monitors together in order to better simulate flights and races. In case that's not enough, we're also told to expect a 22-inch widescreen 3D LCD that's console-friendly, meaning that the only thing standing between you and 3D Xbox 360 enjoyment is a wonky set of glasses and compatible software. We'll see how it all looks in around a fortnight.

iZ3D bringing 26-inch prototype 3D LCD to CES 2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Satellite, New content

Given that Sky already sounds pretty confident about the possibility of a 2012 Olympics in 3D, we aren't shocked at all to find that its 3D tests have been successful thus far. Nevertheless, the BBC is reporting today that the satcaster has "successfully tested the delivery of 3D programming to a domestic television, via a high-definition set-top box." It has already begun to film a number of events in 3D over the past few months, and now that it has proven to itself that the technology is viable, it's working to find a way to bring it to viewers. In related news, the report also mentioned that Sky's director of strategic product development Gerry O'Sullivan stated that it now had "nearly 600,000 HD customers," and he even insinuated that HD was, in fact, not just "a niche product." That's the spirit, chap!

[Thanks, Martin]

Sky successfully tests 3D delivery to HD STB, snags 600,000 HD customers originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mention 3D, and you'll get an enthusiastic shrug from most. Mention three little words in conjunction, and everything changes. In case you haven't guessed that magic trio, it's "no glasses required." We've seen the technology bandied about, but we're sensing that companies are about to get serious with it at CES 2009. Case in point: Alioscopy and TCL have tag-teamed in order to showcase the former's 3DHD autostereoscopic 3D LCD display (40-inch) and content creation technology in just under a month. There are no real details on the underlying juju, but you can bet we're stoked to see what it delivers in Vegas. Maybe those plans for a 3D Olympics in 2012 aren't all that loony after all?

Alioscopy's 40-inch 3DHD autostereoscopic LCD headed for CES: no glasses required originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Displays, Other hardware

Quite frankly, we're still a bit miffed at what all RealD's 3D-PODs actually are, but we can (attempt to) explain what they do. Straight from Real3D's lips, it is delivering the "first 3D stereoscopic converter PODs," which present a "simple conversion solution when upgrading to a new stereoscopic display monitor, such as a DLP or XPOL HDTV." Still confused? Let us forge on: "the PODs automatically detect the output format from a connected display device and convert most stereo-enabled software applications from native stereoscopic output format to the required format for stereo viewing on the display monitor." We're told that these PODs (three variants are available) are specifically aimed at R&D environments, where "3D visualization is heavily used and where departments or organizations are seeking alternatives to CRT display technology for stereoscopic applications." Hmmph -- this would all be so much easier to digest if there were an accompanying image.

[Via SoCalTech]

RealD launches stereoscopic converter PODs originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Sports

Finally, someone with a little sense. It's no secret that we aren't fond of the way European carriers are treating high-def. Rather than investing in more HD channels / bandwidth and waiting for the rush of subscribers, they seem to be waiting for the rush before coughing up any loot. Peter Angell, director of Production & Programming at Host Broadcast Services, has come forward to confess that he is "disappointed that UK and European broadcasters have not embraced HD; flat-panel sales have gone through the roof, [but] the bit that's missing is the broadcasting [of signals]." He continued on to urge these very broadcasters to look to MPEG-4 / H.264 distribution systems to combat the bandwidth dilemma, though we've no clue how much impact one man will have. In somewhat related news, we're also told that 3D for the 2012 London Olympics is "a possibility," but we'll go ahead and warn you not to bet the farm on that one. No harm in hoping, though!

[Image courtesy of Hexus]

HBS director scolds European broadcasters for shunning of HD originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Displays, Other formats, Samsung

There's no telling what kind of off-the-wall gear Samsung is apt to unleash at CES, and we'll be honest -- we're pretty jazzed about the possibilities. At a recent tech forum, Samsung confessed that it was working with both 60GHz wireless technology (read: WirelessHD) and "its own variant of WiFi" in relation to cord-free TVs. This news is particularly bad in two respects: first, it doesn't signal very much confidence in WirelessHD, and moreover, the last thing we need is yet another proprietary wireless HD / HDMI standard to slow down the already glacial pace at which it's being adopted in the industry. Moving on, we're also told that the outfit is "internally testing a stereoscopic 3D rendering chip for its TVs that could be released as early as the second half of 2009," which would "help translate 2D video to 3D and interpret 2D content with embedded depth information." Something tells us we best get used to wearing oddly tinted glasses.

[Image courtesy of MyDigitalLife]

Samsung developing WiFi variant for TVs, testing elusive 3D rendering chip originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Other hardware

We're as tired of the doom and gloom economy talk as you are, but we just couldn't pass this one up. A new report from Bloomberg News has it that the current credit crunch (how's that for a buzzword?) is putting a damper on 3D cinema expansion. Which is quite funny, given the small flood of expansion reports that we've seen of late. Citing Cinedigm Digital Cinema in particular, it notes that plans to convert some 1,500 cinemas to 3D-capable venues have been replaced with plans that include 100 to 200. The lack of available 3D theater options could seriously hinder studios' ability to cash in and make back their own 3D investment; after all, who's really going to drive an hour of their way for a 3D version of a film showing just down the street? In reality, we don't expect this situation to be the rule going forward, but it'll certainly be interesting to see how studios feel about their 3D investments around this time next year.

[Image courtesy of U2]

Credit crisis hindering 3D expansion in theaters? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Misc, Other formats

It won't be the first 3D NBA experience of all time, but it will be the first of this magnitude. Cinedigm is teaming up with the league and Turner Sports to showcase the 2009 All-Star Saturday Night in Live 3D HD to some 80 theaters across the US. Hailed as the "first-ever marketed and commercially viable (open for sale to public) live movie theater broadcast of a major sporting event," the spectacle will be available on over 160 screens in 35 states. As of now, pricing information remains fuzzy, but you'll have to either roll solo or hope your lady friend(s) really loves Kobe given the terrible, terrible February 14th show date. Way to think that one through, NBA. Full release is after the break.

Continue reading Cinedigm to bring NBA All-Star Saturday Night live in 3D to theaters nationwide

Cinedigm to bring NBA All-Star Saturday Night live in 3D to theaters nationwide originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats

Looks like the Chinese authorities have gotten wind of rave reviews for Bolt in 3D, cutting Disney a ton of slack to make sure the movie hits theaters this month. Variety puts China at #2 in the world for 3D capable theaters with about 150 and more on the way. For now Bolt is exempt from their quota on foreign films and it had to pass the censors twice (due to 3D's lack of subtitle support), but for the theater organization focused on beating Singapore to the 3D punch and enjoying high ticket revenues the effort seems to be worth it.

Bolt 3D crossing over to China this month originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats

Man, talk about a buzzkill. Trent Reznor himself has come forward on his official website to announce that there will be no 3D tour film as previously planned. Much like what happened in the heralded U23D, Nine Inch Nails had planned to film a show in 3D with James Cameron's team for a theatrical release as well as eventual release on DVD / Blu-ray, but unfortunately, an unnamed record company pulled the rug out from under the plan at the last moment -- or, that's Trent's side of the story, anyway. On top of that disappointment, we're also told that the current North American tour is likely "the final tour for NIN on this scale." We can hear the collective weeping from here.

[Via Billboard]

NIN begrudgingly pulls the plug on 3D film tour originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Fox, Sports

Just in case you thought 3D was only for Thursday night NFL games and NBA playoff matchups, Fox Sports is broadcasting the first college football game in the format January 8. CEO David Hill dropped the info during the 3D Entertainment Summit, acknowledging plans to bring the 3D feed to CES (finally, we won't have to miss the big game this year -- like we'd ever watch an SD feed stretched on cheap hotel plasmas) and select movie theaters, but balked at pushing technology forward. Citing costs absorbed by broadcasters in switching to high definition, he's looking towards consumer electronics manufacturers to turn over HDTV profits and start another round of upgrades for early adopters. While they argue over who picks up the check we don't expect more than a few demos here or there, but with Panasonic, LG and others already taking the baton it's just a matter of time, maybe when ESPN takes over things full time in 2011?

BCS Championship game live 3D broadcast coming to CES, movie theaters originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Reviews, Other formats

It's not that movie critics were bowled over by the storyline of Bolt, it's that most everyone who saw it in 3D came away at least reasonably impressed by the visuals. The film is far from being the first to see a widespread 3D release, but it is one of the first to be marketed as such. Unlike any time that we can remember before, Walt Disney pushed the third-dimension version of this flick hard, and we're interested to see if you felt it was worth sitting through with 3D glasses (and in some cases, paying more for). Like it or not, 3D is here to stay (at least for awhile) -- can you see yourself catching another film in 3D after seeing Bolt?

Read - BigPictureBigSound
Read - Eclipse Magazine
Read - Financial Times
Read - Independent Mall
Read - The Detroit News

Reviewers rave over Bolt in 3D: did you see it? originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Panasonic has submitted a proposal for a 3D Blu-ray standard to the Blu-ray Disc Association.
The submission comes as Korea's LG announces its intentions to bring 3D TVs to some markets in 2009.

Filed under: Industry, Displays, Other formats, LG

Deny it all you please, but the 3D revolution is here. LG is just the next brand in the growing line of consumer companies that are caving to the three-dee pressure, and according to Choon Lee, Vice President Director at the Digital TV Research Lab, LG will be launching at least one 3D TV next year. To quote: "3D TVs are the next big step for [LG]; we will try with one or two markets in 2009." Regrettably, that's about all the details he would give up, stopping short of confessing to which markets would first see the devices and when exactly during the course of next year they would launch. It's cool, though -- gives us ample time to get used to wearing those hideous glasses around the house without tripping over foreign objects.

LG to launch "one or two" 3D TVs in 2009 originally appeared on Engadget HD on Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Blu-ray, Other formats

For those of you plugging your ears whilst humming along in hopes of this whole 3D revolution fading away, we've got a rude awakening headed your way. Just days after hearing that the HDMI specification could be updated to better handle stereoscopic 3D content, along comes word that Panasonic has submitted a proposal to the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) for an official BD standard to store 3D imagery formed of "left / right-eye two-channel Full HD images." Panny reportedly made the move early in order avoid a format war, but really, it's just looking to cash in on royalties for the next decade five years or less. It's no secret that movie studios are dead set on moving forward with 3D production -- might as well be ready on the other end, right?

[Image courtesy of 3DS]

Panasonic puts forth proposal for 3D standard on Blu-ray Disc originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Displays, Other formats

The all-too-cleverly named Doremi Cinema has reason to celebrate today after landing a swank licensing agreement with Dolby 3D. The outfit's DCP-2000 JPEG2000 Digital Cinema Server has been "approved as a licensee of Dolby 3D Digital Cinema, giving exhibitors even more options when screening 3D content." As it stands, Doremi's DCP-2000 servers are already installed in over 5,500 screens across the globe, and thanks to its interoperability, it ought to have no qualms with the third-dimension.

Doremi Cinema lands licensing deal with Dolby 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Cables, Other formats, Ports

Like it or not, 3D is making a beeline for your home. It may be subtle, but companies are toiling behind the scenes to make sure the third-dimension becomes a reliable revenue stream in the future. Speaking of those companies, a number of HDMI proponents are currently estimating that the HDMI specification will eventually be updated to make it ready to handle the most robust stereoscopic material Hollywood can offer. As it stands, the current HDMI 1.3 spec should be able to handle first-gen material, but eventually, backers want it to support 120Hz rates for HD and multiple 3D views. 'Course, that change is "a long, long way off" according to Steve Venuti, president of HDMI LLC, but a CEA working group has already been established to "update the standard that defines an uncompressed video interface referenced in turn by the HDMI standard." We've got an eerie feeling we'll be sporting 3D goggles for an uncomfortably large swath of time at CES 2009.

HDMI spec could see update to better handle stereoscopic 3D originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 03:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Misc

Looks like North America isn't the only locale heavily advocating 3D in cinemas, as Spain is also looking towards the format to boost attendance numbers in theaters. Believe it or not, Spain is said to be Europe's "worst-performing large film market," and Spanish producers are hoping that forthcoming 3D films such as Goleor and Holy Night! will reinvigorate national interest in a night out at the movies. Europe as a whole seems to be embracing stereoscopic footage as well, with 64 3D-capable screens now open across the UK, Germany, Spain and France.

[Image courtesy of YoungGalleryPhoto]

Spain pushing 3D cinema to get butts in seats, glasses on faces originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats

It's pretty stellar to hear of theater chains lining up to install 3D systems, but this one just gets us all sorts of envious. Reportedly, Q-tec -- one of Japan's leading video post production service providers -- has just completed the "first domestic installation of a 3D cinema system developed by RealD." And it doesn't sound as if Q-tec is done, particularly considering that it's planning to begin "full-scale operation" this month. Who woulda thunk it -- maybe 3D cinema has a shot after all.

Q-tec finalizes installation of RealD 3D system in Japan originally appeared on Engadget HD on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Displays, Other formats, JVC, Others

Far from being the first (or second, or third) partnership aimed at getting 3D in the home, JVC and Sensio have jointly chosen EHX Fall 2008 to announce their loving new union. By joining forces, they're purporting to introduce the "very first high-end 3D solution available on the consumer market." Granted, this so-called solution won't be cheap nor simple, as it will require a pair of JVC's costly D-ILA projectors and a media server integrating Sensio's 3D decoding technology. At the show, the pair demonstrated the forthcoming system by utilizing two $9,000 (yes, each) DLA-RS2 beamers (pictured), though it's never stated whether or not any gaudy goggles are required for visualizing the third-dimension. At any rate, the kit won't be available until sometime in 2009, but it's quite possible we'll get a sneak peek at CES in January.

[Via Electronic House]

JVC, Sensio team up on high-end consumer 3D projection system originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Reviews, Displays, Philips, LCD

There's no denying that the £2,500 42PFL9903D Aurea II is pricey, but for those with the requisite coin, you're probably wondering if this here set is a sound investment. The critics over at TrustedReviews were able to get one of these freshly released stunners into their labs for testing, and to simplify things, we'll just say they were thoroughly impressed. Not only was the tweaked design swooned over, but the Aurea Light Frame effects were also adored and the overall image performance was equally impressive. Granted, the sheer quantity of your disposable income will determine whether or not the whiz-bang LED effects are worth the premium, but at least to these reviewers, it was.

Philips 42PFL9903D Aurea II HDTV reviewed, dubbed pretty amazing originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Displays

No, that feeling of déjà vu isn't without merit -- Texas Instruments has been touting this technology since CES 2008, but it's good to see the company still pressing on. For those in need of a refresher, the dual view 3D technology will essentially enable two people to watch two different things on the same television. Tim Simerly, video systems architect at TI, noted that each viewer would wear their own set of glasses which would correspond with the image they were supposed to see, and of course, separate headsets would be necessary in most scenarios. Unfortunately, no one would comment on the possibility of brain implosion should someone put both sets of goggles on at the same time, but we'd expect further demonstrations at CES 2009.

TI talks up dual view processing technology for single HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget HD on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Primetime

As the news networks spend oodles of cash in order to one-up the other with whiz-bang visuals and mind-melting charts, CNN is looking to blow just about everyone else away. As election night officially kicks off in just a few hours, the network's Wolf Blitzer will be conducting interviews with faraway strategists not via the traditional two-pane window, but by hologram. Believe it or not, professionals in Chicago and Phoenix will be beamed live to CNN's New York studios in order to give viewers a look at Wolf and a ghostly counterpart. Granted, this is far from the first holographic / 3D interview we've seen, but it is rather impressive given the scenario. In related news, we're also told that FOX News will be touting a "giant wall with touch-screen technology [that] will provide electoral map results," which hopefully translates in geek speak to "Surface."

[Via Hack-A-Day]

CNN's Wolf Blitzer to interview hologram strategists on election night originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats

RealD's been snatching up cinema agreements left and right, with the latest chain being Dickinson Theatres. While details are scant, the agreement does bring RealD's 3D capabilities to a full 100 of Dickinson's theaters, and it sounds as if the theater company is pretty stoked about it. In fact, it's already talking up how stellar Disney's Bolt will be, as well as the 13 3D films already planned for theatrical release in 2009. Regrettably, there's no mention of what kind of up-charge you'll be looking at when viewing the third-dimension.

[Image courtesy of FilmSchoolRejects]

RealD's 3D capabilities coming to 100 Dickinson theatres originally appeared on Engadget HD on Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: New content

Taking time out from working on Super Hi-Vision, NHK found time to extend an existing memorandum of understanding with Canada's NFB promising plenty of co-produced HD and 3D content to come. Don't expect big investments in sports or entertainment broadcasts however, as they'll be focusing on environment and social issues and producing for multiple platforms. Now all we need is an MOU promising all of the Canadian Discovery Channel's content here in the U.S. day and date and we should be all set.

NHK, NFB team up on future HD, 3D projects originally appeared on Engadget HD on Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Industry, Displays, Others, LCD

One day, not too far off in the distant future, we have a dream that all 3D displays will be able to engross us in the third-dimension sans goggles. That these no-glasses-required 3D displays will be the rule, and not the exception. Till that fateful day arrives, however, we're still going to be impressed with ones similar to NEC's latest, a 12.1-incher with an SVGA (800 x 600) resolution. Reportedly, the outfit has developed the prototype screen to show off 3D material without requiring the viewer to ugly up their face with a set of those wonky glasses. There's no sign of a commercial release just yet, but we'll be keeping our naked eyes peeled just in case that changes.

[Via Tech-On]

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Filed under: Sony, Projector

Okay, so you probably noticed things have been hopping lately with the advance of 3D technology, global takeover-style, by companies like RealD using ZScreen active polarization with Sony's digital theater projectors. No more bulky shutter glasses and no need for dual projectors -- huge, right? Well, Sony has decided to step it up a notch and bring out its own "single-projector 3D adapter" to blow the rest of those guys out of their tiny pond, namely in the realm of bandwidth and resolution. Sony's adapter works in tandem with its new LKRL-A002 and LKRL-A003 lens units, utilizing the full height of its 4K projectors to displays 2K images for the left and right field of view simultaneously. The adapter can be quickly extracted when going back and forth between 3D and 2D media, 60P capable for fast-action content and good for a silver screen of up to 55-feet. If you're thinking of trading in your first born for a stereoscopic wonderland, check out this tech in a couple weeks at ShowEast in Orlando on its way to March 2009 retail availability. No word on price, but naturally, we want one.
[Via About Projectors]

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Filed under: Polls, Displays, DLP, LCD

Yet again, this week has delivered two more impressive innovations in the in-home 3D space, and yet again, we're left to wonder if this stuff actually has teeth. We know at least some studios are putting a great deal of cash and effort into 3D technology, but are existing HDTV owners (and to an even greater extent, non-HDTV owners) ready to give this stuff a go? We suppose no-glasses-necessary 3D isn't so annoying, but having to sit almost directly in front of the set to get the experience is hardly more convenient. We know -- anything can succeed with enough marketing, but are you personally intrigued by 3D in the home? Are you champing at the bit to grab hold of more 3D material? Vent away in comments below.

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Filed under: Displays, Philips, LCD

On the slim chance that a 52-inch, no-glasses-needed 3D HDTV wasn't swank enough for you, Philips is one-upping itself at the Biz-Ex conference in Hollywood. This 56-inch monstrosity is hailed as a Quad Full Autostereoscopic 3D HDTV, which means that it packs a slightly absurd (in a good way, of course) 3,840 x 2,160 resolution and can churn through data at an alarming rate. Additionally, Philips is promising that this one can produce up to 46 views at once, which should go a long way in making the third-dimension a lot more believable on TV. There's no definitive release date just yet, but it'll probably run upwards of $25,000 whenever it's ready for prime time.

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Filed under: Industry, Projector

Digital Cinema Implementation Partners (DCIP) -- representing AMC, Cinemark and Regal Cinemas -- has worked out a deal to finance the installation of thousands of digital movie screens starting next year in the U.S. with the help of Lion's Gate, Paramount, Fox, Universal and Disney. Not participating, at least for now, are Warner Bros. and Sony Pictures, with the latter expected to announce a separate deal soon involving the installation of Sony 4K SXRD projectors around the world. Key to the deal? "Virtual print" fees, meant to help defray the expect $70,000 cost to switch to 3D-ready digital projection setups, as the studios will kick in the $800 - $1000 they would have spent on old school movie prints to finance the changeover. In the future they save by distributing only digital prints, not to mention having somewhere to show the dozen 3D flicks expected to debut next year. Both sides are betting the $1 billion package will help pull us away from the HDTVs and back into a movie theater, but until they work out a payoff with that one guy who won't stop talking, we're not sure how likely that is.

Read - Wall Street Journal
Read - Reuters
Read - Variety

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats, Other hardware

While this wasn't the only live 3D broadcast going on at IBC2008, we couldn't resist passing along a video of this one in action. Net Insight was at the show demonstrating a live 3D telepresence setup using a 1.5Gbps connection. From Stockholm (the show floor is in Amsterdam), a company employee was able to wave and communicate in real-time in stunning 3D. The kicker? No funky goggles were required to see him, and while you needed to stand pretty much directly in front of the display in order to get the full effect, we can't help but be wowed at what went on here. Seriously, check out the video in the read link and imagine watching a movie in this manner in your own home. It's good stuff, we promise.

[Thanks, Tommie]

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Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of Dream Works, believes that 3-D HDTV is the future of the TV and movie industries.
Fittingly he made his comments in a speech that was beamed by satellite across the Atlantic and displayed in glorious 3D HDTV at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2008 in Amsterdam.

Filed under: Others, LCD

Not everyone can afford Philips' 52-inch 1080p 3D autostereoscopic HDTV, but DDD Group and Hyundai IT's second batch of 3D LCDs might be just what's necessary to take 3D television mainstream. Set for a Japan launch in October, the new 32-inch LCDs pack DDD TriDef hardware -- available in add-on form for Samsung DLPs and plasmas in the U.S. -- to support Nippon BS Broadcasting's BS11 3D station. DDD's CEO promises "affordable 3D TV", without more detailed specs or a pricetag our doubt level is pegged at mild, with a chance of arrogant skepticism.

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Filed under: Misc, Blu-ray

Oh boy, we can see where this is headed. Not that 3D Blu-ray Discs are a bad thing, though. Anywho, shortly after Hannah Montana was announced as being the first to bring 3D to BD, along comes The Polar Express to call "shotgun!" Warner Bros. has announced that the visually pleasing film will make its 3D Blu-ray / DVD debut on October 28th, with the title coming bundled with four sets of 3D glasses. The Blu version will go for $34.99, while the DVD edition will demand $20.97. Anyone plan on picking this up to see if the hype is warranted?

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Filed under: Displays, InFocus, Others, DLP, Projector

Although high-end projection makers have been figuring out this whole 3D beaming thing for awhile now, Lightspeed Design and InFocus are looking to bring the technology to a wider audience with the introduction of its DepthQ stereoscopic 3D projectors. Available in XGA and WXGA flavors, these PJs promise "rock-solid, 120Hz stereo 3D at 1,280 x 720 or 1,024 x 768 resolution" and feature Texas Instruments' DLP / BrilliantColor technologies, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio and a total weight of just 6.9-pounds. Best of all, these undercut most other single-lens 3D projectors by coming in somewhere under $6,000 apiece, though exact numbers have yet to be disclosed.

[Via AboutProjectors]

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Filed under: Industry, Misc, Displays, Other hardware

Funny story -- so just four months back, we were seriously wondering if 3D theaters could truly thrive. Here we are just a season later, and the answer is looking clearer all the time. Cinépolis, the planet's fifth largest cinema exhibitor, has just announced in conjunction with RealD a new partnership that will bring 500 new 3D screens to locales in Mexico, South America and Central America. Six of the new screens have already been installed, while the remainder will continue to be rolled out until 2010. Exact cities weren't mentioned, but we are told that those who get 'em before December can expect to see Disney's BOLT in eye-popping 3D this Christmas.

[Image courtesy of HomeTheaterBlog]

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats

Hologram technology has been secretly inching closer and closer to our living rooms for quite some time, though few have actually been paying attention to it as a bona fide display technology. A team from the University of Arizona is hoping to change that mindset, as they have developed a technology that "allows holograms to be rewritable for the first time." Essentially, this enables "allows 3D images to be changed many times per second, just like the frames in a movie," and you don't have to have the most vivid of imaginations to understand how incredible this could be. As of now, the tech isn't suitable for 3D movies, but team member Nasser Peyghambarian is hopeful that they "will be able to get to that capability." Better-than-3D visuals without the glasses? Consider us pre-sold.

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Filed under: Industry, Other formats

We'll admit -- we had serious doubts that 3D cinema would ever take off so long as patrons were forced to wear those gaudy glasses, but the opening weekend numbers for Journey To The Center Of The Earth make a good case that 3D is viable. In a release put out by Real3D, we're told that 55% of the box office revenue generated by the film was handed over by guests watching it in the third-dimension. In short, the Real3D version took in "3.7 times the revenue of the 2D alternative." It should be noted, however, that 3D viewings are generally more expensive than traditional screens, so we can't say with any degree of certainty that more people saw the film in 3D than in 2D. Still, this seems like a pretty big deal in the 3D arena to us, and we're sure it's all the motivation some studios needed to move forward with costly 3D endeavors.

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Filed under: Starz, New content

Put fears of missing the Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour debut on Disney Channel July 26 at 8 p.m. aside as Starz has announced it will also air the flick, an hour later in SD & HD. Disney hasn't mentioned if the concert will be in HD on its high definition network, so this may give fans (we know you're out there) a chance to check it out before the Blu-ray disc hits shelves in August. It looks like anaglyph (red/blue) technology is what's bringing the 3D, for the necessary goofy looking glasses, either pick them up in a Wal-mart while supplies last or make your own following instructions on the Starz website.

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Filed under: Displays, Media PCs, Other hardware, Mitsubishi, Others

When Mitsubishi admitted that it was holding hands with NVIDIA and Aspen Media for no other reason than to prove that they all three hearted 3D, we must say, we were miffed. Now, however, it seems that plans are finally coming to light, and everything is starting to make a whole lot more sense. Reportedly, the three firms are gearing up to showcase how well they can work together to produce eye-pleasing 3D PC gaming results in select retail outlets this July. At first, none of the components will be sold together per se, but bundle deals are definitely in the works. Whether or not budding PC gamers are ready to switch to a DLP-based HDTV as their primary monitor, however, remains to be seen.

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As 3D technology takes over theaters in the U.S., cost considerations have kept European theaters from following, but now Dolby Labs is celebrating deals to put its technology in cinemas worldwide. Variety has the details on an agreement for more then 350 screens in Europe, Asia and the Americas, which differs from its main competitor Real D by avoiding the need for a new screen, and opting to sell the system outright instead of collecting royalties from ticket sales. All the same, no matter where you are, expect the opportunity to check out Journey to the Center of the Earth while wearing silly-looking glasses later this summer.

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Filed under: Industry, Displays, Media PCs, Other formats, Mitsubishi, Others

Neither Mitsubishi, NVIDIA nor Aspen Media are members of the recently formed 3D@Home Consortium, but that's not stopping the trio from teaming up in order to bring the third-dimension into the home. In a rather vague release issued today, the three companies are seemingly coming together in order deliver "high-value 3D content to the consumer at home in one convenient package." What exactly is in that package remains to be seen. From what we can glean, Aspen will be providing the Aspen Media Server, which will in turn possess one of NVIDIA's 3D-capable GeForce FX Go GPUs. From there, we'd bet Mitsubishi throws in an HDTV to seal the deal. C'mon you guys, throw us a bone here, will ya?

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Filed under: Misc, Displays, LG, LCD, Plasma

LG's flat-panels end up in a-many of hotels, and it looks as if the outfit is hoping to end up in a whole lot more here soon. Today, the company has "expanded its long-time alliance with LodgeNet by agreeing to integrate LodgeNet and On Command interactive terminals with new hotel TVs." Essentially, the firm will be cranking out 11 new LG HD Built-in TVs, all of which include essential LodgeNet technology that enables hoteliers to map channels and the like from headend equipment. Five 32-, two 37-, and two 42-inch LCDs were introduced alongside a pair of 42-inch plasmas. We aren't told what venues will be snapping these up, but it's pretty safe to assume that any LodgeNet-equipped hotel will be giving 'em a glance.

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Filed under: Misc

Remember that one-off Mavericks / Clippers matchup that was shown in 3D in a Dallas-area cinema? If AccessIT has its way, those types of events will be popping up all over the United States here soon. Said outfit has just announced plans to install 150 of its CineLive systems in major markets throughout America. The technology will enable the "live broadcast to movie theaters of both 2D and 3D events such as sports and concerts," and while 50 installs are scheduled to start immediately, the other hundred should be completed by the year's end. For the full list of locales, give the read link a look.

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Filed under: Industry, Displays, Philips, LCD

It's no nightmare -- 3D is officially in style. Or it's succeeding in fooling us, one or the other. Further proof that taking things to the third-dimension is all the rage has arrived courtesy of Philips, who has announced its intentions to reveal a 1080p 52-inch 3D display at InfoComm later this month. The unit will utilize the same WOWvx technology showcased a year prior in its 20-inch display, and will feature 700 cd/m2 brightness, a 2,000:1 contrast ratio and an 8-millisecond response time. The auto-stereoscopic display should be "commercially available from Q4 2008 onwards," but we haven't a clue how costly it'll be when it eventually lands.

[Via SlashGear]

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Filed under: Displays, Others, LCD

Ooo, ahhh, you feeling that 3D display on your 2D panel? You should, it's the world's largest 3D LCD panel from VMJ measuring in at 65-inches. The stereoscopic panel developed with support from VisuMotion features a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 6-ms refresh, 120-degree viewing angle, and DVI and RGB inputs. Best of all, no goofy 3D glasses of any type are required thanks to the incorporation of Sharp's Parallax Barrier viewing technology. Priced at ¥3.15 million (about $30k) when it starts advertising CosaNostra Pizza around Mr. Lee's Greater Hong Kong.

[Via Akihabara News and Impress]

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Filed under: Reviews, Displays, Philips, LCD

You know what they say: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Such is the unfortunate case with Philips' 42PFL5603D, which possesses quite a stunning enclosure and an eco-friendly design, but falls short in the areas that matter most. According to a recent CNET review, this 42-incher "consumed less energy than any flat-panel TV" it had ever tested, and keeping with the positives, they found the colors to be accurate and a solid port assortment with 4 HDMI sockets. As you'll see, the cons list is quite a bit longer, as the black levels were noticeably light, darker areas tended toward blue, de-judder processing introduced "artifacts" and the off-angle viewing wasn't exactly up to snuff. In the end, it managed to garner a rather low 6.2 out of 10, and unless you're willing to put Mother Earth above image quality (no pressure or anything), we'd probably suggest looking elsewhere.

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Filed under: Industry, Displays, Others, DLP, Projector

Look out, naysayers -- projectiondesign is giving this whole "3D revolution" thing some serious street cred with the F10 AS3D. Slated to debut at InfoComm 2008 in Las Vegas, the unit marks the company's first active 3D stereoscopic projector. Notably, this isn't the firm's first foray into the third-dimension, as eight of its F20 sx+ PJs are currently being used in a 3D visualization system at Munich University. Moving on, we'll also find its brand new three-chip DLP F80, which features a WUXGA (1,920 x 1,200) resolution, ACOP (Advanced Color Optical Processing) technology and a stratospheric price tag (we're guessing on that last one). We'll be holding out for pricing / release information, but we don't suspect it'll be too long before those critical points get divulged.

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Filed under: Blu-ray, Displays, Other formats, Other hardware

TDVision Systems has been pushing its mysterious TDVisor since just after CES, but now the firm is looking to get serious about demonstrations at SID 2008. Both the visor and a "complete suite of TDVision applications including the stereoscopic virtual world, the AlterSpace, Dejaview and the 3D media player" will be showcased, and even more interesting will be the demo "of the 2D and MPEG-compatible TDVCodec running on a Blu-ray Disc." If you'll recall, the TDVCodec (a stereoscopic 3D format) was designed to be backwards compatible with 2D systems, and it's suggesting that the same BD flick can carry the traditional 2D imagery as well as 3D scenes thanks to its technology. Now, all that's left to do is wait and see how fantastic the results really are (or aren't).

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